Kuala Lumpur, Dec 5 – A video clip featuring opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim alleging that the Barisan Nasional (BN) brought in 40,000 Bangladeshis to vote in the 13th general election in May was shown to delegates at the 2013 Umno General Assembly Thursday.
The video clip lifted from the Malaysian Gazette news portal showed Anwar Ibrahim making the claim on two occasions – at a news conference and a political ceramah.
It was aired when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak delivered his presidential address amid taunts by some 3,000 delegates from 191 Umno divisions at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
The clip allegedly showing Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader claiming the BN was forced to fly in Bangladeshi and Indonesian nationals as phantom voters by 16 flights as it no longer has the support of the people to ensure its victory.
The prime minister aired the video clip to rebut Anwar’s denial that he had never made such allegation and it was created and spun by pro-Umno blogs.
“Since when Malaysia has a Bangladeshi community,” quipped Najib.
Najib said Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was shocked upon being told of the allegation during his visit to Bangladesh last month and denied such thing.
– Bernama
