PAS was offered foreign help to topple govt in 2014, says Hadi

PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang has alleged that his party was approached by a foreign power in 2014, during the visit of former US President Barack Obama to Malaysia, to assist in the overthrow of the government. The incident took place at the US embassy, where Hadi was present along with then PAS assistant secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who was Hadi’s political secretary at the time.

Hadi recounted that the foreign entities were prepared to facilitate the takeover of the government, but the PAS leaders declined the offer. Following the meeting, the US ambassador sought a separate discussion with Hadi, asking who PAS had in mind as the new prime minister. Hadi responded by questioning who America would endorse, leaving the ambassador perplexed.

He disclosed this information to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who reportedly approved of the approach. Despite the incident, Barisan Nasional eventually lost power in the 2018 general election, which was heavily influenced by the 1MDB scandal and allegations of corruption associated with former Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Pakatan Harapan, led by Mahathir, emerged victorious and Hadi's leader assumed the position of Prime Minister. Takiyuddin Hassan later confirmed attending the embassy meeting, asserting that PAS firmly rejected any notion of foreign interference in Malaysia's political affairs.