Malaysia government detains Anwar aide--media

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Reuters) The Malaysian government has detained an aide to senior opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim for questioning over a possible breach of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), national media said today.

Nathaniel Tan, who works in the information bureau of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat, was remanded in custody under the OSA for possession of documents concerning Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharom, the Star newspaper reported.

Citing Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mohd Najib Abd Aziz, the Star said the documents were linked to allegations that Johari had taken bribes to free gangsters.

The detention of Tan, 27, came after authorities closed their investigation into the bribery allegations on Wednesday due to lack of evidence, the Star said.

Parti Keadilan is headed by the wife of Anwar Ibrahim, the former deputy premier who famously fell from power in 1998 after a row with his boss, then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Anwar, an adviser to Keadilan, is barred from holding political office until next year due to a corruption conviction.

REUTERS SW PM0940