KUALA LUMPUR – Bukit Aman said it roped in opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim into its investigation into his alleged telephone conversation with Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today after receiving 18 reports from 17 political representatives.
In a statement, Criminal Investigations Department chief Datuk Huzir Mohamed said the reports urged the authorities to launch a probe into the authenticity of the leaked audio clip.
“There might be certain irresponsible quarters that have fabricated the audio recording with the intention of creating public unrest and disharmony among both political parties,” he said.
“The spread of the audio recording has created various negative perceptions and raised the concern of the people based on the thousands of comments by netizens on social media, seeing how both individuals are influential political leaders.”
Huzir said calling in Anwar to be quizzed over the matter is a normal procedure to complete the investigation.
“Anwar’s statement is needed to assist the investigation to see how far the recording can be verified as a (genuine) conversation between him and Zahid Hamidi.
“A detailed investigation must also be carried out to identify the individual who made the audio recording, the motive behind its spread, and whether there were any modifications by certain quarters who intended to cause or have possibly caused public mischief.”
Huzir added the case is being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Earlier today, Anwar had presented himself at the Bukit Aman police headquarters about 10am today, accompanied by his lawyer, Datuk Sankara N. Nair.
Anwar had said he hopes the authorities will be just as enthusiastic in investigating another audio clip released recently, which purportedly features Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin offering positions to Umno leaders in return for their loyalty and support.
This investigation comes after an alleged voice recording of Anwar and Zahid – both top leaders of opposing parties – went viral on April 7.
In the clip, “Anwar” and “Zahid” exchanged pleasantries, with the former saying it was his first time following the Umno general assembly in full in the last 22 years, and praised the latter’s speech as good.
The opposition leader also seemed to congratulate “Zahid”, saying he was proud of the Umno man over his speech, to which “Zahid” replied that it was Anwar who taught him.
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 have the courage to do so.
“Zahid” replied by calling Umno ministers “cowards”.
The two are known to be old friends, going back to the late 1990s, when Anwar was Umno deputy president and Zahid, the party’s Youth chief. – The Vibes, April 27, 2021
