Anwar’s ex-aide has lead on RPK's whereabouts

(The Star) - A 41-year-old former aide to PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has come forward here to provide police with information to assist them in investigations to trace the whereabouts of Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin.

Anuar Shaari, a former Finance Ministry officer who worked for Anwar between 1996 and 1998, arrived at the Melaka Tengah district police station at about 10am on Thursday and spend about 30 minutes with Melaka Tengah OCPD ACP Salehhudin Abd Rahman to pass on the information.

“I gave him details and a written description including a photograph of Pakistani-born American Aasil Kazi Ahmad who may be able to provide information on the whereabaouts of Raja Petra," he told reporters here.

Anuar, who currently runs a business here Ayer Keroh, said he came forward with the information following the advice of the police in connection to a press conference he held in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 6 regarding the matter.

“I urge the authorities, in particular the police, to track Aasil’s whereabouts and movements to get him to assist investigations,” he said.

“Both men (Aasil and Raja Petra) are very close and share similar expertise as media strategists,” he said, adding that Aasil is based in Washington but has been making frequent trips to Malaysia since 2004.

He added that Aasil, who works for a politician and acts as a consultant for a local organisation, was often seen in Kuala Lumpur.

He also said he informed police that Dr Munawar Anees, Anwar’s former speech writer, also shared a close bond with Aasil and may be able to shed light on his whereabouts.

As why he decided to come forward now, Anuar said he was merely passing on information to assist police in locating Raja Petra. When met later, Salehhudin confirmed the meeting with Anuar, adding that the information provided by him would be passed to his counterparts in Bukit Aman.

Raja Petra is wanted for failing to appear in court on two occasions last year over a sedition charge. He is accused of defaming the Prime Ministers wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, in an article on his website.