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.