Anwar on Explosive Viral Audio: That’s Not My Voice

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PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he does not use crude language such as “barua” which was heard on the audio.

Anwar has called on the public against being influenced by the spread of several audio recordings which were said to be those of his voice criticising party deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He pointed out that he had never issued any statement as the ones in the three audio recordings which had spread on WhatsApp yesterday.

“The way (I replied) is not correct…my voice…I do not use offensive language…’barua‘ is not my language, don’t be influenced by slanders,” he told reporters last night.

When asked if he suspects Barisan Nasional were to be behind the spreading of the video, Anwar said: “I don’t know.”

However, he did not dismiss elements of sabotage.

“This is certainly part of their dirty game, with the imminent party elections. That is very unhealthy. They should fight me in the open,” Anwar added. It is unclear, however, as to who he was referring to.

The audio recordings, each lasting less than 10 seconds, were said to be similar to his voice criticising Mohamed Azmin and Dr Mahathir on the appointment of members of the board of directors for Khazanah Nasional Bhd recently.

The voice also admitted directing Rafizi Ramli to contest for the post of PKR deputy president in the party election this month, as he claimed that Azmin had become Mahathir’s “lackey” (barua).

Anwar pointed out that he had never given any statement concerning Khazanah, except for the by-election for Sungai Kandis.

He said no one was stupid enough to believe the spread of the audio recording which he described as an unhealthy act.

“I did not give any speech after the Khazanah (board of directors) was announced except in Sungai Kandis. There was no speech before that…I was in Turkey.

“I don’t think we are stupid enough to be that gullible, but then we just have to deny because it was not true…there’s no basis in that. I too heard (the audio recording)…in my harshest moment, I have never used the term ‘barua‘,” he said.

Meanwhile, PKR leaders have dismissed the audio clips as fake.

Anwar’s wife, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, denied that the voice was Anwar’s.

The same denial was also issued by Azmin.

Rafizi said the voice was not Anwar’s, adding that he was “extremely sure” of this.

“Anwar’s voice is more baritone,” Rafizi said.

Lembah Pantai MP and PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil said there were differences in the way the man spoke compared to Anwar. He said there were several elements such as pronunciation that was not typical of Anwar.

“This is intended to create a rift among party members. We are dealing with many things as we approach the party polls.

“The aim is to sow discord and disharmony in the party,” he said.

The audio clips are believed to be not more than three days old, as a reference was made to Mahathir’s decision to helm Khazanah following the exit of its board members.

“He [Mahathir] appointed himself as Khazanah’s chairman. What’s this, the people lose, Khazanah loses,” the voice in the audio recording said.

The same voice went on in a separate clip: “In the past, he accused me of sodomy…did he forget…about the Forex case RM30 billion”, referring to the forex scandal of 1990s during Mahathir’s first term as prime minister.