Return Rafizi's phone once probe completed, Anwar tells police

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has insisted that the police's move to take his deputy Rafizi Ramli's mobile phone was a form of intimidation.

This is despite Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani clarifying that the police treatment of Rafizi, related to a police report involving the littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal, was part of the investigation process for criminal offences.

The opposition leader had yesterday called the police’s seizure of Rafizi’s mobile phone as part of its investigations a form of intimidation.

“I would like to thank the top cop for providing a response. If this is so, just return his mobile phone.

“Secondly, the issue (before us) is a corruption issue linked to the LCS project, so MACC must take action and ask Abdul Latiff Ahmad to answer if he had abused his power since the issue implicated the special functions minister.

“(The enforcement agencies) should not pressure those who just provide their opinion,” he said at the sidelines of an event in Parliament today.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim

Earlier today, the IGP said keeping Rafizi’s phone was part of the investigation process for offences under the Penal Code (Act 574) and the Communications and Multimedia Act (Act 588) to enable forensics analysis.

“The device will be returned after the analysis and investigation are completed,” Acryl said.

Rafizi was called to have his statement recorded on Sept 3 to facilitate investigations after a police report was lodged about a viral statement that allegedly slandered Latiff.

‘Najib well acquainted with pardon process’

When asked about former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's bid for a royal pardon over his graft conviction in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case, Anwar said Najib knows full well of the pardoning process.

"He has to follow the legal process all the way to the Federal Court, that was what I went through. Najib knows it because he was the one who got me (thrown in prison over sodomy)," he added.

Anwar also noted that Najib’s Pekan parliamentary seat which the Umno man has held for four decades, will be vacated.

Earlier today, Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun said Najib had filed a pardon petition on Sept 2, and he would only lose his position as an MP if the petition is rejected.

Anwar received a royal pardon in 2018, three years after serving time over a sodomy conviction. - Mkini