Viral audio: Tun Faisal asks Zahid Hamidi to swear to clear his name

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Putrajaya UMNO division deputy head, Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, has invited UMNO President, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to take an oath with him to clear their names.

The two individuals were implicated in the spread of the audio recording on the alleged conversation between Ahmad Zahid and PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

This was because Tun Faisal has been accused of being involved in recording or creating the audio recording.

He is also accused of defaming Zahid regarding the existence of a letter of support from Zahid and former UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Razak for Anwar.

“The writing slandering me as the mastermind of the ‘creation’ and dissemination of the Anak Murid-Cikgu audio was disseminated using WhatsApp to UMNO division heads and division wing heads by parties who had their phone numbers.

"Most likely by Central UMNO itself which has access to the numbers of UMNO division heads and divisional wings throughout the country," he said in a statement on Monday.

At the same time, he explained, Zahid was also heavily criticised for allegedly deceiving the 2020 UMNO General Assembly (PAU) delegates following the spread of the audio recording and a letter of support for Anwar.

"For that reason, I would like to invite YB Datuk Seri (Zahid) to swear with me so that we can clear our names.

"Apart from making a police report to investigate the authenticity of this audio which will take some time, swearing in the name of Allah can at least ease the criticism against YB Datuk Seri," he said.

He invited Ahmad Zahid to take the oath together at Surau Ar-Rahman, PWTC after Friday prayers (April 16, 2021) at 2.30 pm.

Tun Faisal added that by taking such action, it is hoped that it will clear their names and UMNO can return to unity and be on the true path of the party’s struggle.