Rais wants Anwar probed for alleged takeover attempt

(Bernama) – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should be probed by the Dewan Rakyat’s Rights and Privileges Committee over the alleged takeover attempt of the federal government by the opposition in 2008, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said only the Dewan Rakyat could determine whether there was any truth to the matter and that this could be done by getting Anwar to answer to the committee.

“The Dewan Rakyat must act on this and get the committee to commence a probe so that the facts can be known,” he told reporters after opening a youth programme in Felda Pasoh 2 here.

Last week, independent Bayan Baru member of parliament Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim had told the Dewan Rakyat that the Opposition had intended to take over the federal government on Sept 16, 2008 and that Anwar had used the names of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Chief of Defence Forces in connection with the bid.

He had also alleged that a number MPs had contemplated joining the Opposition to make the take over possible.