Annuar Musa says he listened to audio clip 10 times, claims it is genuine

PETALING JAYA: The audio recording of a conversation allegedly between Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is genuine, claims Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

In a report by Sinar Harian, the former Barisan Nasional secretary-general claimed he could recognise the voices of Anwar and Zahid in the recording after listening to it multiple times on Wednesday (April 7) night.

"I (listened) to it 10 times last night. I felt I could recognise the voices and I'm 100% confident it is authentic," he told reporters during the launch of the MySmart Wilayah Blueprint at the Federal Territories Ministry on Thursday (April 8).

Annuar added he was disappointed because the recording, if genuine, contradicts Ahmad Zahid's declaration of not cooperating with Pakatan Harapan in the 15th General Election, made at the Umno general assembly last month.

"I'm not questioning freedom of speech but the contents of the conversation clearly show that there are plans, togetherness and discussions that contradict the 'no Anwar, no DAP' policy that was decided by the party," Annuar added.

Annuar also claimed that there is ongoing political cooperation between Umno and PKR.

"I'm very confident that there are relations and calculations. You can call it a conspiracy," he alleged.

Annuar said this was evident from recent events, including a leaked letter purportedly from Ahmad Zahid as party president backing Anwar as the prime minister; and another where Barisan Nasional had to retract a statement that called for Parliament to be convened.

Meanwhile, Selangor Umno chairman and Tanjong Karang MP Tan Sri Noh Omar said the police should investigate in order to determine if the audio clip is genuine.

"In this age, anything can happen. Let the authorities investigate, on condition that the report is lodged by Ahmad Zahid," he told reporters after launching a cooking event in Sungai Gulang-Gulang at Tanjong Karang on Thursday.

On Wednesday (April 7) morning, the audio clip of two voices sounding like Ahmad Zahid and Anwar's went viral on social media.

In the recording, the speakers are heard congratulating and thanking each other for having put up a good performance during the Umno general assembly and discussing the possible resignation of Umno ministers as well as the party's exit from the Perikatan Nasional government.

However, Ahmad Zahid and Anwar have since denied the authenticity of the recording and said they have instructed their respective officers to lodge police reports.