Viral audio recording will not affect relationship between allies in ruling government, says PAS sec-gen
SIK: The viral audio recording of a conversation between two individuals with voices said to be resembling Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has not affected relationships between Umno and PAS or other parties under the Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led government.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said strong relations still existed between the allies in the ruling coalition and nothing had changed as a result of any incident related to the individuals concerned.
“Within the coalition, we have the parties and party leaders; at times, relations between individuals or relations between the leaders would not affect the organisation and the good relationship between the parties is still maintained – that is the situation now,” he told reporters after the Malaysia Prihatin Programme here yesterday.
He said this when asked whether the audio recording issue would affect PAS-Umno relationship.
In the 4-minute, 17-second audio recording, a voice similar to Anwar was heard – among others – commending Ahmad Zahid on his speech at the Umno General Assembly, through a phone call. Elaborating, Takiyuddin who is also Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) said the matter had been handed over to the authorities for further action should a report be lodged.
“I am confident if there’s a need to investigate, the InspectorGeneral of Police would do so; in fact, he has said that it would be investigated. I am sure the authorities would carry out their duties professionally without being biased,” he said.
In another development, Takiyuddin said the government would not stop anyone from presenting a memorandum to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, urging for the reopening of Parliament.
“Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy – as long as it is not against the law, anyone is free to do so if they feel it is important to them,” said Takiyuddin.
On Saturday, it was reported that Pakatan Harapan would be presenting a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to seek His Majesty’s consent for Parliament to reconvene.