KUALA LUMPUR – None of the officers linked to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lodged a police report over a leaked audio clip purportedly of the two leaders’ conversation.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said no report was made as of yesterday, and he advised Zahid and Anwar to do so if they want to clear their names, reported the New Straits Times.
“If a police report is lodged, we will investigate. If Zahid said he didn’t have such a conversation, he should be confident and should’ve lodged a police report.
“But as of yesterday, no one has made a report. Same goes for Anwar. If he’s confident that it was not him (in the clip), then he should’ve lodged a report, too,” Hamzah was quoted as saying after an event in Bandar Baru Tambun, Ipoh, today.
He warned the public against lodging fake reports, as it is an offence.
“The police reports we have now were lodged by other people.”
The recording that was purportedly leaked two days ago implicates Zahid.
In the clip, “Zahid” is heard saying his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly on March 28 was only “tactical”, apparently in reference to his remarks that there would be “no Anwar, no DAP and no Bersatu” as Umno heads into the next general election only with Barisan Nasional.
“Anwar” is then heard saying it is okay, adding that there is still work to be done with Umno’s Supreme Council – probably referring to convincing it to work with PKR.
In the conversation, “Anwar” said it would be good if one of Umno’s ministers resigned from the Perikatan Nasional cabinet, but noted that none has the courage to do so. “Zahid” replied by calling Umno ministers “cowards”.
The opposition leader also seemed to congratulate “Zahid”, saying he was proud of the latter over the speech given, to which “Zahid” said it was Anwar who taught him.
Soon after, Zahid released a denial, describing the audio clip as “disgusting political manoeuvring” that proves there are ongoing attempts to weaken Umno.
“I am extremely disappointed and shocked by the dissemination of the audio (clip) supposedly of me and Anwar.
“I believe more despicable games like this will happen to destroy the party.
“As president, I will never violate or turn my back on the resolution that has been passed by Umno’s Supreme Council and general assembly.”
The former deputy prime minister said he has ordered his officer to immediately lodge a police report on the matter, to identify the mastermind behind the “scheme”.
Yesterday, Anwar reiterated that he did not speak to Zahid after the Umno assembly.
He said a police report will be lodged by his officers today.
“With regard to this specific audio (clip), I can categorically say it is not an authentic conversation between Zahid and me.
“It is my prerogative and my responsibility to address issues and come to a common understanding. But if people don’t want to talk to me, that is also their prerogative.
“As leader of a political coalition that should rightfully be the government of the day, it is my responsibility to remove this backdoor government and return the mandate the people made in 2018.
“It is imperative to do so quickly, judging from this government’s incompetent handling of the pandemic and the economy, with the resulting loss of global confidence, the collective impact on the rakyat is unacceptable,” he told The Vibes. – The Vibes, April 9, 2021
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