Ramkarpal reads out 'Muhyiddin' GLC enticement transcript in Dewan Rakyat

PARLIAMENT | A DAP lawmaker today read out a transcript in the Dewan Rakyat of a recording, allegedly of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin saying Umno MPs can be enticed to join Bersatu if they are offered ministerships or posts in government-linked companies (GLCs).

Ramkarpal Singh (Harapan-Bukit Gelugor) was trying to prove that it was indeed Muhyiddin's voice in that recording which was purportedly from a Bersatu supreme council meeting on Feb 23.

In that recording, the man whose voice resembles Muhyiddin's said: "If they know a new government is being formed, with Umno in, 'Why don't you (Umno MPs) join in now, why don't you join us now, rather than you join later?'

"I think if we did that, a majority will leave Umno (with just) 10-20 (MPs), with just Najib (Abdul Razak) and his people (left behind).

"Especially if there are positions. If not a minister, then chairperson of a GLC."

Ramkarpal had initially tried to play the recording in the Dewan Rakyat, but shortly after he hit play, he was stopped by Deputy Speaker Azalina Othman Said.

Azalina had asked Ramkarpal to cite standing orders which allowed audiovisuals to be played in the Lower House.

The DAP lawmaker responded that no standing orders were preventing it, adding that his father, the late-Karpal Singh, had also played a recording once in Parliament to make it part of his speech.

Azalina, however, did not allow the recording to be played.

"This is not a court, there is no issue of hearsay. This is a debate," she said.

Azalina, however, allowed Ramkarpal to read out the transcript.

The Bukit Gelugor MP declared that the man in the recording was indeed Muhyiddin after reading the transcript.

"I say in this House, that is the prime minister's voice. That is his voice. He has not answered my questions on whether or not that is his voice.

"There is an element of enticement on the part of the prime minister," he added.

Ramkarpal then sought a ministerial response on whether police have identified the voice in the recording following a police report being lodged on the matter.

He also wants to know if the MACC is taking any action to charge the prime minister.

Such answers, if any, will only be given next week when ministers wrap up the debate on the King's address and answer all questions raised by MPs who took part in the discourse.

Meanwhile, Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau), in interjecting Ramkarpal's speech, said that a police report would be lodged over the matter.

"We will file a police report. This is a 'Watergate' scandal, spying on parties. What right did they have to record it?" Shahidan said.

He added that this was just plans, and it was not acted on.

Since coming to power in March, Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional government has appointed more than three dozen of its MPs as heads of GLCs, government agencies and newly-created diplomatic positions.

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