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KUALA LUMPUR (REUTERS) – Malaysian police said on Thursday (October 15) that they had summoned opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to assist in investigations of a viral list of federal lawmakers allegedly backing their attempt to reclaim the office of Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Anwar met on Tuesday (October 13) with the King of Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, in an attempt to show that he has a “convincing” parliamentary majority to form a new government.
Anwar had been asked to give a statement Friday on complaints made to the police about a list of 121 lawmakers said to be backing his candidacy for the post of prime minister, which had gone viral on social media. said the director of the criminal investigation department, Huzir Mohamed in a statement. statement.
“To date, a total of 113 police reports have been received,” Huzir said of the complaints.
Police did not detail any of the complaints, but Huzir said the investigations were guided by provisions of the penal code and a separate multimedia law that covers statements that could cause public harm or harassment.
The punishment for such crimes includes a jail term of up to two years and fines.
Anwar’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Tuesday, Anwar said he had submitted documents to the king to support his claim to the post of prime minister, but the Palace later said it only provided the number of lawmakers it said backed his offer and not their identities.
Anwar’s claim to the post of prime minister has triggered a new outbreak of political disputes in Malaysia, which is grappling with a recent spike in coronavirus cases and its worst recession since the global financial crisis.
If he succeeds in getting the job, it will be the culmination of a 22-year search, which included nearly 10 years in jail on sodomy charges that he denied.
It would also mean that Malaysia would have its third prime minister this year.
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