NAJIB Razak has called for a government inquiry into allegations that Pakatan Harapan collaborated with US think-tank International Republican Institute (IRI) to bring down the Barisan Nasional government in the 14th general election.

The former prime minister said action is needed as the claims involve foreign interference.

“If you have accused Hasanah (Abdul Hamid) of treason, this is a lot worse because this is direct interference in our electoral process,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Hasanah, the former director-general of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation, is said to have sent a letter to the US Central Intelligence Agency on May 4, requesting its support for Najib’s administration in the event that the GE14 results turned out to be close.

Najib, who is Pekan MP, has denied knowing about the letter.

He said the allegations involving IRI must be dealt with.

“In America, they appointed a special prosecutor to investigate whether the Russians interfered in the American elections.

“Now that there has been an open admission that they (IRI) have been working with PH since 2002 (to effect a) regime change, it is a very serious matter. We should not allow foreign interference.”

IRI, a conservative outfit whose board of directors includes senior Republican politicians, has denied working with PH.

“IRI categorically rejects the sensational headline by Free Malaysia Today that the institute had worked with the opposition coalition prior to the May 9 general election in an attempt to undermine the ruling BN government,” it said in a statement today. – August 7, 2018.