Malaysia police summon Anwar Ibrahim over list of supporters for premiership bid

KUALA LUMPUR (MALAYSIA) – Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been summoned by Malaysian police to provide assistance to probes into a viral list of federal parliamentarians who allegedly backed his bid to claim premiership, said a senior official on Thursday.

Ibrahim had met King Al-Sultan Abdullah on Tuesday in a bid to demonstrate he has a “convincing” majority in parliament to replace Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and form a new government.

A complaint was filed with the police about a list of 121 parliamentarians supporting his bid to become prime minister and the opposition leader was told to give a statement on Friday. The list went viral on social media platforms and invited severe criticism, said criminal investigation department director Huzir Mohamed in a statement.

“To date, a total of 113 police reports have been received,” Huzir said.

Huzir said probes are being conducted under the penal code and a separate multimedia law, which covers statements causing public mischief or harassment.

Such offences invite a punishment of a jail term of up to two years and fines.