Police Open Investigation Paper Into Hadi Awang Over 2014 US Plot Claim

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have opened an investigation paper into PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang following his claims that the United States offered to assist his party in toppling the Barisan Nasional (BN) government in 2014.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for statements conducive to public mischief, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for the improper use of network facilities.

“To date, PDRM has received 12 police reports regarding the issue and statements from 12 witnesses have been recorded. Abdul Hadi’s statement will also be taken in the near future to complete the investigation,” Kumar said in a statement today.

Kumar advised the public to refrain from making speculations that could disrupt the ongoing investigation, urging social media users to act responsibly and avoid releasing statements that could threaten public order and security.

The probe follows claims made by Abdul Hadi that several PAS leaders were invited to meet with US Embassy officials during former US President Barack Obama’s visit to Malaysia in 2014, where foreign assistance was allegedly offered to unseat the sitting government.

Addressing the claims, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur released a statement on its official Facebook page yesterday denying the assertion, stating that the United States has never attempted to dictate Malaysia’s political leadership and rejecting any statements to the contrary as false.

–NMT