In a written parliamentary reply, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said also said that MACC had lodged a police report over the article, published by the global news agency last September.

Citing sources, Bloomberg reported that MACC chief Azam Baki had told his officers that Anwar had given instructions to investigate former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his sons, as well as former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

The report also claimed that MACC was told not to investigate share purchases by Anwar’s former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.

Both the Prime Minister’s Office and MACC have denied Bloomberg’s claims.

Police previously said the case was being probed for defamation, statements conducing to public mischief, and the improper use of network facilities or services.

Azalina said that while every citizen had the right to freedom of speech as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, that right was not absolute.

She was responding to Che Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut), who asked whether the government intended to pursue legal action against Bloomberg for its report.