PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was telling the truth about a 2014 meeting with representatives from the US embassy, but such routine diplomatic discussions did not amount to foreign intervention, former Malaysian ambassador to the US Nazri Aziz said.
Nazri said foreign diplomats and civil society groups routinely engaged with opposition leaders to gain a better understanding of the local political landscape.
He said such discussions were a normal part of diplomatic practice.
“Even if it is the US embassy and its ambassador, it is just a conversation, not an interference,” Nazri, who served as Malaysia’s ambassador to the US from February 2023 to February 2025, told FMT.
Routine diplomatic engagement
Nazri said if any party attempted to meddle in domestic affairs, it was typically NGOs rather than embassies.
He suggested that foreign NGOs may at one point have viewed former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad as an authoritarian, prompting them to engage opposition figures over democratic reforms and political change.
Nazri’s remarks came after the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur denied offering assistance to overthrow the government during former US president Barack Obama’s visit in 2014.
Hadi made the claim at the close of the 72nd PAS muktamar in Kelantan on Sunday.
Police reports lodged against Hadi
Three police reports have been lodged against Hadi over the claim.
Earlier today, his political secretary said Bukit Aman had contacted Hadi regarding the matter.
“Tok Guru (Hadi) has been informed and is ready to give the police his full cooperation. The date and time (for this) will be determined,” said Bachok MP Syahir Sulaiman.
BN leaves public to assess claim
Barisan Nasional secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir was also reported as saying the coalition would not comment on Hadi’s claim.
He said the matter would be left to the public to assess.
