KUALA LUMPUR: A police report was lodged in connection with a viral letter claiming Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has Barisan Nasional’s support to be the new prime minister.
Hishammuddin’s press secretary Hafiz Ariffin lodged the report at the Dang Wangi police headquarters yesterday.
He said the letter, which had been circulated, was made with Barisan’s letterhead to give the impression that the document was authentic.
“The letter is fake and was aimed at tarnishing his reputation and to confuse the public, ” Hafiz said in a statement.
“The forged letter and signature should be investigated and stern action must be taken to prevent political slandering, ” he added.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said he would leave it to the authorities to investigate the case and take appropriate action against those involved in distributing the fake letter.
“I am consistent in rejecting political slander and hate that should not be practised in our country, ” he said in a Facebook post.
In the fake letter dated June 22, the Foreign Minister allegedly claimed that the Barisan supreme council had unanimously backed him to lead the next government.
The fake letter also bore a palace “received” stamp dated June 23.
It also included a list of Hishammuddin’s proposed Cabinet line-up, with International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob proposed as first and second deputy prime ministers.
Previously, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had said that 25 out of 41 MPs from Barisan have signed statutory declarations (SDs) in support of Hishammuddin because they have lost confidence in Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the SDs were signed in support of Hishammuddin because Barisan wanted a new representative in the event the party was summoned for an audience with the King.
Nazri said the SDs have been forwarded to Hishammuddin, but unsure if he has shown the list to the King.