Malaysia detains former senior aide to PM in bribery probe

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysia's anti-graft agency on Friday detained a former senior aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for further investigation amid bribery allegations.

Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, who resigned as Anwar's senior political secretary this week, was held after being questioned by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers, Chief Commissioner Azam Baki said.

MACC will apply for a court order on Saturday to extend Shamsul Iskandar's detention beyond 24 hours, Azam said in a statement.

It will also apply to keep businessman Albert Tei, who says he has accused Shamsul Iskandar of bribery and was also questioned on Friday, in custody.

"I have instructed my officers to complete the investigation within this week so that it can be submitted to the attorney-general's chambers for a swift decision," Azam said, without specifying the possible charges or offences.

Shamsul Iskandar, a senior member of Anwar's People's Justice Party, could not immediately be reached for comment. When resigning, he cited an attempt to attack him with allegations that could damage the government, and vowed to defend himself "against this attack".

Tei's lawyer Zaid Malek said he did not know what offence Tei was suspected of.

(Reporting by Danial Azhar and Ashley Tang; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

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