Anwar-Zahid phone tap an invasion of privacy, says PKR’s Maria

(Malaysia Now) – Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah says the leaked phone call between Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim is an invasion of privacy which should be immediately investigated by authorities.

“This is a total breach and violation of privacy,” she said on the conversation held in the wake of the Umno general assembly and revealed in an audio clip earlier this month.

In the four-minute clip, Anwar is heard congratulating and giving instructions to Zahid in the aftermath of the assembly which accepted Zahid’s proposal to cut ties with the Perikatan Nasional government.

Zahid in return thanked Anwar for his moral support.

The clip sparked denials from both Anwar and Zahid who said they would send their officers to lodge police reports over the issue.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador however said that both leaders would be called up as part of an investigation into the recording.

Maria said instead of focusing on the authenticity of the clip, authorities should look into who had tapped the phone conversation.

“Phone tapping implies to me the clandestine listening or recording or wire-tapping of a communication through the phone with the intention of getting information about the activities of others,” she told MalaysiaNow, adding that this could be done in order to defame those involved.

“To me, it is illegal and can lead to prosecution for breach of privacy,” she added.

She said the leaked clip also violates a person’s right to live with dignity and respect, adding that everyone should have the right to be protected against intentional intrusions into their privacy.

“There may be circumstances for phone tapping which can only be done in an authorised manner with permission from the government or agencies concerned if it is in relation to national security, for example during wartime.

“I certainly hope this will be investigated and that the person or persons who committed the act of phone tapping will be brought to justice,” she said.