Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has come under scrutiny after his name appeared in the latest confidential documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The emails show discussions between Epstein and his associates aimed at involving Anwar with the major bank JP Morgan, hoping he would become a "gold mine" in the future. Meanwhile, Malaysia's opposition has called for an urgent explanation from him.
Anwar Ibrahim's name appears in the latest batch of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice connected to the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier who was arrested for sexually abusing minors. However, Anwar's name is not linked to any sexual misconduct or visits to Epstein's private island. Instead, it is mentioned in the context of "business and political opportunities."
An email dated 21 February 2012 from an Epstein associate (whose name is redacted) inquired whether a private meeting should be arranged between Anwar and a person named "Jes," believed to be Jes Staley, then CEO of JP Morgan's investment banking division, for the bank's future benefit.
The email stated, "If he becomes Malaysia's prime minister, he will settle various matters, and this could be a gold mine for JPM." The sender also claimed to know Anwar well and had been close to him for many years, even during times when others thought his political career was over.
Epstein responded to the email by proposing to arrange the meeting in May and suggested pitching a Hollywood film project in Malaysia as an incentive, citing director Woody Allen, who had made films in multiple countries in exchange for financial backing.
These email exchanges occurred one year before Malaysia's 2013 general election, at which time Anwar was the opposition leader of Pakatan Rakyat and enjoyed strong support from Western countries as a reformist. This has fueled conspiracy theories that the U.S. and Western nations may have supported him in the power transition before he eventually became prime minister in 2022.
Recently, Pemuda Bersatu, the youth wing of Malaysia's United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), led by communications director Naim Brandej, demanded that Prime Minister Anwar clarify whether he had ever met Epstein or any individuals named in the documents, especially concerning the notion that the Malaysian prime ministership was viewed as a "gold mine" for foreign financial institutions.
These documents were released in line with transparency policies for reviewing the Epstein case, given his close relationships with many high-profile figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump. Jeffrey Epstein died in prison in 2019 in an apparent suicide.