Cops quiz Anwar over 'Jui Meng next MB' banner

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid -Free Malaysia Today

VIDEO INSIDE PETALING JAYA: The police have recorded a statement from Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim over a controversial banner in Johor.

The banner depicted photographs of PKR supreme council member Chua Jui Meng and the Sultan of Johor. It said that Chua would be the next menteri besar of the southern state.

Umno Youth members lodged a report after denouncing the banner as seditious.

Chua claimed to be in the dark about the banner, and had accused Umno of attempting to rile up the Malays against him.

Three police officers, led by investigating officer DSP Che Mahazan from the Batu Pahat district headquarters in Johor, met Anwar at the PKR headquarters in Tropicana here.

Chua, who had already been questioned by the police, and several other party leaders were also present.

Anwar told a press conference later that he had his statement recorded under Section 112 as a witness as an image of him was also depicted on the controversial banner.

"I told them that I have no knowledge at all about the banner. We were only informed of the banner's existence later. I hope the police will investigate the matter immediately, responsibly (and) look for those responsible for a libellous action such as this," he said.

He said the matter important as it involved the Johor ruler, adding that the motive behind the move was clearly aimed at casting aspersion and embarrassing the party.

But while Chua insists the banner was Umno's work, some PKR officials alleged that it could be the work of the former MCA leader's rivals in PKR.

The former MCA vice-president, an influential grassroots leader, is said to be a direct threat to an ambitious national level leader. It is understood that Chua, who was also a former health minister, will be keen on contesting for the vice-presidency post at the party polls scheduled to be held by year-end.

Anwar, however, claimed it is unlikely that the banner debacle was the work of internal sabotage and is never the practice of their party supporters to play dirty politics.

"It cannot be done by those who support us. For example, putting banners at Malay areas, provoking the Malays so as to suggest that we are promoting Chua as the mentri besar of Johor. The matter does not arise, never even discussed".

Banner fiasco a failed attempt
Chua said the incident started immediately after he was appointed as PKR's Johor chief and this was a clear attempt to smear his name.

"As a lawyer, just as many other Chinese people know, a Chinese can never be a menteri besar in a state ruled by a Sultan. I am not as stupid or my supporters are not as stupid to endorse me as the Johor menetri besar. It doesn't make sense," said Chua.

He also called on the police to investigate immediately and arrest the cuplrit.

"Their attempt failed. Not many believe what was written on the banner be it Malays, Chinese or Indians. This is disgusting," he said.

On his request to seek audience with the Johor ruler, Chua said it is now up to the State Palace Council.

"I am not on the council. We have requested an audience with the sultan and we are still waiting for an answer. As we are not involved in this banner issue, we want to seek an audience with the sultan to honestly explain the situation," he said.