KUALA LUMPUR – Attempts to spy on other people’s phone calls and later leaking it to the public is a crime, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at the National Professors’ Council Bicara Minda programme today, he said even if the leaked audio recording of an alleged conversation between him and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was authentic, leaking it would be considered criminal.
“First of all, what’s the issue? If the audio recording was true, that means there was an effort to spy, record (the conversation) and leak it – which is an offence.
“Second, don’t tell me that members of the government raising a ruckus have never heard other audio recordings? Looks like they (the government) are using this as their political capital – that Anwar and Zahid are going to be allies,” he said in the session moderated by Prof Datuk Mohamad Agus Yusoff and Muhammad Asri Mohd Ali.
The PKR president reminded listeners that there also exists an alleged recording of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin speaking about granting ministerial posts and GLC positions to Umno members.
He said the latest “leaked” audio is simply the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration’s efforts to distract the public from real issues, such as the suspension of Parliament, economic recovery and corruption, as well as its desperation to remain in federal power.
“Even if the recording is true, what’s the problem? Was there treason (discussed)? Corruption? Criminal activity? Nothing,” said Anwar.
On whether he has lodged a police report on the matter, the Port Dickson MP said he has not had time to do so as he just returned from his constituency. – The Vibes, April 10, 2021