JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 21 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended his decision to only reprimand his political secretary for issuing a contractor support letter, arguing that a sacking was not warranted as the letter did not result in the project being approved.

His comments were a response to former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who had urged the prime minister to dismiss the aide to demonstrate the government's commitment to fighting corruption.

"Look at the gravity of the situation. Was the project approved because of the letter? No, it wasn't. The letter was not an instruction," he said in a report published by The Star.

While he did not agree with his aide's actions, the prime minister said a reprimand was ...