'Thank you Farhash, for getting us together': Pictures reignite questions on Anwar's ties with ex-aide

A social media post by one of the sons of Thailand's monarch has reignited questions about Anwar Ibrahim's relationship with his former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador, a figure the prime minister has taken pains to distance himself from amid allegations surrounding the politician-turned-millionaire businessman's rapid ascent up the corporate ladder, controversial takeover of critical companies and procurement of lucrative government contracts.

Pictures shared by Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the second son of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is said to be groomed to take over Thailand's reins after decades being exiled by his father, also feature Human Resources Minister Ramanan Ramakrishnan, who just a few months ago was embroiled in allegations linking him to a "corporate mafia" scandal and claims he received a RM9.5 million bribe from Victor Chin, a market player once linked to Farhash through their overlapping investments in corporate entities.

Posting on his social media platforms, Vacharaesorn thanked Farhash for arranging meetings with Anwar and Ramanan.

"A lovely chat with His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. We spoke about unique bond between our neighbouring countries. We bonded over personal experiences away from our homelands," he wrote.

"Also spent some time with the lovely Minister of Human Resources Ramanan Ramakrishnan. Thank you again to my dear friend Farhash for getting us together."

In another post, Vacharaesorn is seen photographed with Kelantan's Sultan Muhammad V, a figure linked to HeiTech Padu, which was at the centre of a storm after it was shortlisted to develop the RM1 billion National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) project, a replacement for the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs).

Controversy erupted in 2024 after it was found that Farhash had secured a substantial 15.91% stake in HeiTech Padu through Rosetta Partners Sdn Bhd, a company he jointly owns with the Kelantan ruler.

The purchase in HeiTech Padu came just a day after e-government services provider MyEG Services Bhd acquired a 14.4% equity interest in the company for RM31.25 million cash on March 11, 2024.

That same day, HeiTech Padu announced it had received a one-year extension of its contract to maintain MyIMMs.

The following month, HeiTech Padu was awarded a RM190 million contract by the transport ministry, prompting criticism that it was due to Farhash's connection with Anwar. Days later, it was announced that Farhash had ceased to be a substantial shareholder of HeiTech Padu.

The share acquisitions by Farhash sparked calls for an investigation into political connections, government contracts and cronyism.

Five months later, in September 2024, Bloomberg reported that Anwar had directed then chief of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Azam Baki, not to investigate Farhash over controversial share purchases.

Both Anwar and MACC have denied the claim, followed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers stating there would be "no further action" on a police investigation into the Bloomberg report.

"I will not cover it up at all if there is a case. However, I do not want to prolong this issue because it involves matters that I consider trivial, but to say (it was) because he was my staff four to five years ago was unfair," Anwar had then told the Dewan Rakyat.

Meanwhile, Vacharaesorn's post has invited comments on the relationship between Anwar, Farhash and Ramanan.

"Farhash and Ramanan are Nuar's (Anwar's) right-hand men right now," said one user.

"A non-political person hooking up the Prime Minister... wow," wrote another, taking a swipe at Farhash's past claims that he is no longer politically active and is "fully focussed in the business and corporate world".

"Farhash, Ramanan and Anwar mentioned... hmmm," wrote Kamarulzaini Zainal.

Ramanan captured headlines in March this year over allegations that he had collected RM9.5 million from Victor Chin, a market player who was probed for money laundering and later at the centre of an explosive scandal involving a "corporate mafia".

Chin has denied the allegations, instead saying it was he who was forced by the corporate mafia to give up his stake in NexG Bhd, a company that was awarded contracts worth RM2.5 billion to supply Malaysian passports and identity cards.

NexG became a substantial shareholder of MMAG Holdings in March 2025. Just a day earlier, Farhash took a 20% stake in MMAG Holdings after he acquired 462 million shares at a discount, according to Bloomberg.

Six months later, NexG secured a government contract worth RM733 million to supply MyKad to the National Registration Department (JPN).

NexG was already the recipient of another contract worth RM1.73 billion to supply Malaysian passports over six years.

Early this year, Farhash disposed of his 20% stake in MMAG at a hefty premium and stepped down as its chairman.

It was reported that MMAG shares saw a sharp decline between Oct 29 and Nov 7 last year, prompting an unusual market activity (UMA) query by Bursa Malaysia.