KUALA LUMPUR: An alleged bid to topple the government involved not only foreign parties working with Malaysian collaborators but also the direct involvement of a prominent Zionist-linked figure, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the matter was under investigation by the police and national security agencies, and urged MPs not to treat this as a partisan issue.
The matter was raised in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday by PAS MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who asked about the “difference” between PKR’s alleged past dealings with foreign parties and the latest news linked to the family of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin.
“What PKR did at that time was not wrong, but someone trying to defend their family is?” said Shahidan.
On Monday, a news portal claimed that emails in 2016 showed PKR collaborated with foreign parties, such as a US consultancy group, to clear Anwar’s name and lobby Washington to pressure then Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s government.
However, Anwar urged Shahidan to examine a report about a “communications plan” that had emerged.
“This is not about Tun Daim Zainuddin personally. This is about links with ministerial advisers, links with foreign ministers; this is not merely about lobbying for freedom.
“This is about challenging the entire system of the state and challenging the position of the government,” he said.
He also asked Shahidan to be patient.
“Wait maybe a week or two. Once we get more information, and if the Attorney General’s Chambers and authorities permit, I can call for the National Security Council to organise a meeting with MPs.”
On Feb 28, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the police are conducting a review of all aspects related to allegations of a plot to topple the government.
This came about after police received a report over a plot supposedly involving a prominent local figure and an international media agency.
Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, the wife of the late Daim, subsequently issued a statement, dismissing the report as “laughable, false and preposterous.”
As for Zionists’ involvement, her lawyers said such claims were “ridiculous” as “there is not one word about Zionism or Israel or anything related to it in the entire communications plan. It is purely a business and PR plan.”
Yesterday, Anwar said the alleged conspiracy involved the use of foreign lobbyists, bankers and international media was planned to run from August 2024 until the next general election.
“What triggered these activities was the large-scale corruption investigations by MACC,” he said.
According to Anwar, strategies outlined in documents linked to an international firm included mobilising foreign media and leveraging overseas networks to put pressure on Malaysian institutions.
“Their strategy, as stated in the records of the international firm involved, includes contacting all foreign media with a strategy to challenge the government’s efforts, particularly those of MACC,” he said.
“They are using their strength and contacts with other countries to build a narrative questioning Malaysia’s and the government’s credibility, and to organise a campaign through the Malaysian Parliament.”
He said international financial players were also being roped in.
“This is an attempt to sabotage the running of the country,” he said.
He called for wisdom and fairness in acting for party interests and national interests, adding that he while he was open to criticism, the issue at hand went beyond politics.
Anwar said the police had opened investigation papers under Section 124B of the Penal Code (regarding activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy).
He also said he had been advised to be cautious about naming individuals, companies or countries while the probe was ongoing.
