‘Leaked’ audio clip planned to humiliate Zahid over ‘no PN’ stand: PH lawmakers

KUALA LUMPUR – A purportedly leaked phone conversation between Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim appears to be more of a personal attack on the Umno president over his strong stance against Perikatan Nasional.

This is according to several Pakatan Harapan MPs, who said while the authenticity of the recording remains questionable, the dissemination of the clip is a clear response to Zahid’s decision to withdraw support for the ruling coalition ahead of the general election.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil told The Vibes that the recording appears to be targeted at Umno leaders and members, perhaps as an attempt to influence and manufacture collective consent for them to go against Zahid.

“The context has to be seen in light of Umno’s decision not to have a relationship with Bersatu, and that they can, at any time, withdraw support for the government and prime minister.

So, I would concur that it is an attack on Zahid. I wouldn’t put it past those in Umno who are against Zahid to try and humiliate him.

“We know Zahid has some very strong words for those in Umno who are, in his mind, collaborators of PN. So, you have to read within the context of these dynamics.”

The Lembah Pantai lawmaker said as far as PKR is concerned, the issue does not concern the party, but he pointed out that there is room for Anwar to pursue the matter via legal avenues.

In a statement earlier, Zahid denied having had the recorded conversation with Anwar.

He has ordered his officer to lodge a police report on the matter, to identify the mastermind behind the political “scheme”.

In the recording purportedly of the two party leaders, “Zahid” said his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly on March 28 was only “tactical”, in an apparent reference to his remarks at the meet that there will be “no Anwar, no DAP and no Bersatu”.

“Anwar” is then heard saying it is okay, and that there is still work to be done with Umno’s Supreme Council – probably referring to convincing it to work with PKR. 

The voice resembling Anwar’s also said it would be good if one of Umno’s ministers resigned from the PN cabinet, but noted that none has the courage to do so. “Zahid” replied by calling Umno ministers “cowards”. 

Voices can be faked

Sharing Fahmi’s sentiment, Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said he sees the dissemination of the clip as a bid to create restlessness in Umno and tarnish Zahid’s image as president.

“We all know that at the recently concluded Umno general assembly, it was decided that the party won’t work with PN, and we also know there are factions in the party.

This is clearly an agenda orchestrated by certain quarters to pressure Zahid out of his presidency, to be replaced by someone who is more friendly to the ruling government.”

He questioned the authenticity of the clip, noting that with today’s technology, any person’s voice can be replicated and faked.

The Pokok Sena MP said there are individuals with the talent to impersonate the voices of others, citing a recent show where comedian Danial Zaini did a parody of Anwar, and the performance even received approval from PKR leaders.

“Yes, the voice in the audio (clip) does resemble Anwar’s. But, we can’t ascertain it unless there is a video of Anwar on his phone during the conversation.”

DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago, too, believes almost anything is possible in the era of modern technology, saying the latest “leak” was engineered by parties unhappy with Zahid’s stand on not cooperating with PN in the elections.

“I would say this is an attack by Bersatu (the party led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) over Zahid’s decision to cut ties, and to ask Umno ministers to resign from the cabinet.”

The Umno president told the general assembly last month that when the time is right, party leaders with government positions must let go of these posts.

Santiago added that it is highly unlikely the recording is genuine, especially as Anwar recently stressed that PH’s focus is facing the elections. – The Vibes, April 7, 2021