Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s accusation that Pakatan Harapan is overreacting is a diversion from the serious questions that PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has failed to answer.
Fadhli asked what interest PH has in this issue. The answer is very obvious and simple. Hadi alleged that representatives of a foreign government offered to help topple Malaysia’s elected government. This concerns Malaysia’s sovereignty, national security and parliamentary democracy. Every Malaysian has an interest in knowing whether this allegation is true.
PH does not need to be named by Hadi before its leaders can demand an investigation into alleged foreign interference in Malaysia. Fadhli’s suggestion that the dispute should simply be resolved through a civil suit completely misses the point.
Whether the United States Embassy wishes to initiate civil proceedings is its own decision. The police reports were made to determine whether an attempt to interfere in Malaysia’s political leadership actually took place and whether any offence was committed.
A civil suit cannot replace the responsibility of Malaysian authorities to examine a serious allegation involving the sovereignty of our country.
Fadhli’s insinuation that PH must be involved simply because its members lodged police reports is irresponsible and illogical. Reporting a serious allegation is not an admission of involvement. By Fadhli’s logic, anyone who reports a possible crime must somehow be connected to that crime. That is absurd.
Instead of attacking PH, Fadhli should ask why Hadi’s own account is not fully supported by PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
Hadi claimed that the United States offered PAS assistance to topple the Barisan Nasional government. Takiyuddin only confirmed that an embassy representative asked whether PAS had plans to bring down the BN government. He did not confirm that the United States offered money, resources, political support or any other assistance. A question is not an offer.
Fadhli should also ask why PAS remained silent for 12 years if it truly believed that a foreign power had attempted to topple the Malaysian government.
Did PAS report the alleged offer to the police, Wisma Putra or the Najib administration in 2014? If a report was made, PAS should disclose it. If no report was made, PAS must explain its silence.
Hadi has named Takiyuddin, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and former PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali as individuals connected to the meetings. They should state clearly whether an explicit offer was made.
Hadi should also disclose the identity of the American official involved, the date of the meeting, the assistance allegedly offered and any correspondence or meeting records supporting his claim.
If Hadi has evidence, he should hand it to the police. If he has no evidence, he must withdraw his false allegation and apologise.
Fadhli cannot shift the burden of proof to PH by making insinuations. Hadi made the allegation. And therefore Hadi have to prove it. Fadhli should stop shielding Hadi and answer the facts.