Hadi recounts spurning US offer to topple Najib-led BN govt

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has revealed that the party received an offer of foreign assistance to overthrow the Malaysian government during a meeting at the US embassy in 2014. The incident occurred during former US President Barack Obama's visit to Malaysia, when several PAS leaders were invited to discuss the matter. According to Hadi, then assistant secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Hadi's political secretary at the time, attended the embassy meeting.

The offer aimed to discuss toppling the government and taking over its position. However, Hadi and the two PAS leaders declined the proposal, maintaining their stance against foreign interference. Following the meeting, the US ambassador approached Hadi with a separate request, asking which party PAS supported as prime minister.

Hadi responded by inquiring about America's preferred candidate, leaving the ambassador surprised. Subsequently, Hadi shared the incident with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who approved of the response. The Barisan Nasional government eventually lost power in the 2018 general election, which was significantly influenced by the 1MDB scandal and corruption allegations surrounding then-Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Pakatan Harapan, led by Mahathir, emerged victorious and formed the new government, with Mahathir assuming the role of Prime Minister. Takiyuddin, the other PAS leader present at the meeting, also confirmed the event and affirmed that they firmly rejected any foreign interference in Malaysia's political affairs.