I was summoned as witness, not suspect, Anwar says of probe into contentious audio clip

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he was summoned as a witness, not a suspect, in the police investigation into a contentious audio clip.

The opposition leader clarified this to reporters after spending 90 minutes at Bukit Aman here today.

Police are investigating a recording purportedly of Anwar and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that was leaked on April 7.

The PKR president said if police are to pursue prosecution, he will not hesitate to testify as a witness.

“Question is, I don’t know which corruption case, which blackmail case, or which criminal case. But I gave my cooperation.”

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, who accompanied Anwar at the federal police headquarters, said the probe is being conducted under Section 505B of the Penal Code.

Anwar’s lawyer Datuk Sankara N. Nair said his client should not be hauled up for questioning as a witness as Section 505B concerns a non-seizable offence. 

“Section 505B is a non-seizable offence. Therefore, using powers under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code is wrong and an abuse of power.”

Anwar questioned the government’s intention to make the issue political, given that it has nothing to do with the nation’s economic decline.

He pointed to other leaked audio clips that have made the rounds on social media, but not subjected to police attention.

“There is a leaked audio clip on social media that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin alleged concerns the scheme of things. 

“Many of you would have heard (that the clip) involves threats and corruption. I just want to ask, is there an investigation?

“As far as I know, there hasn’t been any investigation into this. So, there’s always double standards – one for leaders, one for ordinary Malaysians – when it comes to punishment, charging and investigations.”

He hit out at Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, bringing up another audio recording allegedly of the latter.

The clip contains statements on the positioning and placement of police officers, which Hamzah previously said he stayed away from, said Anwar.

“So, I want to ask, again, is there any investigation into this… which is far more serious, because it goes against the law, and his (Hamzah’s) word that he won’t interfere in police matters.” – The Vibes, April 27, 2021