The commission said it was aware of reports published by local local and international news portals that were inaccurate and not credible.

“The commission hereby denies accusations in the report stating that MACC had received instructions from certain parties to not investigate a certain individual over their purchase of a company’s shares.

“MACC is confident these are wild and irresponsible claims intentionally made to create a negative perception of the commission.

“The commission’s enforcement actions are done without fear or favour, or involvement of any other party. They are made fairly, without prejudice in all situations, based on the principles of sovereignty and supremacy of the law,” it said in a statement today.

This follows a Bloomberg report yesterday quoting three sources as saying that Anwar had ordered MACC not to investigate share purchases by the PKR president’s former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.

The international news outlet also reported that the prime minister instructed MACC to investigate Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his sons and his long-time confidante, Daim Zainuddin.

Nonetheless, Bloomberg quoted the Prime Minister’s Office as denying these claims, saying Anwar had never issued directives to MACC or interfered in its investigations.

The PMO added that MACC operated independently and only acted on the basis of complaints received.