The Malaysian Insight

POLITICAL writer Yahaya Ismail has denied blackmailing Anwar Ibrahim for RM400,000, instead has been trying to sell publishing rights to his book that details why the PKR president should not be made prime minister.

In his Facebook post last night, Yahaya wrote that Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul had agreed to buy the book rights.

“Read my WhatsApp messages to YB Johari. I want to sell the copyright to Anwar and other interested groups. There is no question of blackmail here.

“Please understand, and do not cheat people your with fairy tales,” said Yahaya.

He said he had contacted Johari on June 4 to see if he was interested to buy the manuscript, and had posted it on June 10.

Yesterday, Anwar said there was an attempt by Yahaya to blackmail him for more than RM400,000 in return for not distributing the book, Why Anwar Cannot Be PM.

He called on police to investigate Yahaya over the alleged blackmail attempt.

Anwar said Johari has lodged a police report yesterday after the writer demanded money, calling it a “consultation fee”.

Johari said the book has insinuations of homosexuality and corruption, and allegations of Anwar being a Zionist and US agent.

He said the book also questions the royal pardon granted to Anwar May last year over his sodomy conviction.

Yahaya also named PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali as a better candidate to become the next prime minister.

However, Yahaya’s Facebook post said Johari and other parties had expressed interested in buying the manuscript.

Johari had previously asked about the price for the book not to be published, he said.

Yahaya also said he was not hired to write the book.

“(The book) is a result of my own studies. I have written about politics over the last 40 years and published 50 political books.

“One of the books I published in 1993 is titled Anwar Ibrahim Antara Nawaitu and Boria Party.

“I criticised his leadership, and he has even invited me to his house to talk about politics for two hours.”

Yahaya, who said to know Anwar since the 1970s, said he is not a member of any political party and wrote only for the truth.

“Anwar is my friend since the 70s, but I’m not in line with his politics, I’m not part of any political party. As a writer I’m looking for the truth, and fighting for race, religion and country.” – June 20, 2019.