Hard to deny, Rais Yatim says on voices in leaked phone call

Dewan Negara President Rais Yatim today said it would be hard for Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim to deny the audio recording of a phone conversation which took place shortly after the Umno general assembly as many people recognise their voices.

“They can’t simply deny the allegations because a lot of people recognise their voices, intonation and nuances of their speech.

“If they do, then it has to be substantive,” he told reporters at an event at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy in Kuala Lumpur.

He also called for the clip to be examined with the help of experts and forensic scientists, saying sufficient evidence must be presented to prove that the voices are those of the two leaders.

In the four-minute clip revealed by MalaysiaNow, Anwar is heard congratulating and giving instructions to Zahid in the aftermath of the Umno general assembly which accepted his proposal to cut ties with the Perikatan Nasional government.

Zahid in return thanked Anwar for his moral support.

MalaysiaNow has been able to verify that the clip is authentic, and that the voices are those of Anwar and Zahid.

But both leaders have denied speaking to each other, saying they will send their representatives to lodge police reports.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador however said that no report had been lodged as of yesterday.

Rais said such incidents are becoming increasingly common among Malay politicians, adding that this puts the entire community in a negative light.

“The Chinese and Indian leaders don’t do this. Why are we, Malay Muslims, making headlines through such incidents?” he said.

“We no longer hold on to the truth and prioritise education for ourselves and others.”