Anwar says facing ‘malicious’ probe on list of backers

Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has said a police investigation into a list that purports to show lawmakers backing his bid for the premiership was a “malicious” attempt to pressure him into revealing the identities of his supporters. Police summoned Anwar to assist with a probe into the distribution of a list of 121 lawmakers who allegedly back his bid to take over as prime minister from Muhyiddin Yassin. The list has been circulated on social media. Anwar, who spent about two hours giving a statement to investigators, said only the king had the right to know the full details of lawmakers who he says are backing him to give majority support in parliament. “I’m not here to co-operate with the political masters to give names, because it is not their business. It’s between me and His Highness, the Agong,” Anwar told reporters.