Anwar calls rumors 'slander'

Anwar calls rumors 'slander'

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim said rumors about his resignation as finance minister
were politically-motivated attempts to slander him, a report said
yesterday.

Anwar said he had discussed the rumors with Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad and denied Mahathir had taken charge of the
country's economic management.

"Since the widespread attack on the currencies of this region,
the Prime Minister's involvement in the matter will of course be
greater," Anwar was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times
newspaper.

Anwar did not dismiss the possibility of future attempts to
smear his image, saying he believed it was the work of local
elements, without identifying who they might be.