MALAYSIANS did not take too kindly to Muhammad Shafee Abdullah’s allegation today that it was Dr Mahathir Mohamad who was the prime mover in recruiting him to lead the prosecution against Anwar Ibrahim in the Sodomy II case.

Many took to social media to accuse the Umno lawyer of attempting to restart a feud between Dr Mahathir and Anwar.

Shafee had today issued a statement alleging that it was Dr Mahathir who had persuaded then prime minister Najib Razak to pick him for the role lead prosecutor in the case against Anwar in 2013.

But Malaysians on social media users clearly did not buy the story.

Facebook user Jhon Tan questioned why it took Shafee so long to come out with his tale.

“Took this dishonest person a few years to come out with this excuse,” said Tan.

Dayang Fazrina Abang Yasir warned: “That’s right Shafee, keep telling yourself that. Your words only coming back blasting at you. You see Karma keeps receipts.”  

Iskandar Sham on Facebook said it had taken Shafee this many years to plot how to rekindle the old feud between the two leaders after they had reconciled.

“Whatever comes out from this fellow’s mouth is just the same as the ones that came out of Najib’s… lies. If it was true he would have revealed this while Umno was still in power, not until the payment was revealed.

“He is so lucky to have come out with the idea during the reign of Pakatan Harapan (PH). This is why he can still walk free.”

Another Facebook user Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu alleged Umno was Shafee to stir up hatred between Dr Mahathir and Anwar.

“Umno will not rest until they drive a wedge between Dr M and Anwar. That’s their strategy to topple the PH government before GE15. I just hope the PH leaders can see through this (game),” he said. 

Thomas Daniel and a few others, meanwhile, said that there was no need for Shafee to give his side of the story as the record already showed where the money had come from. 

An affidavit signed by an officer from the Attorney-General’s Chambers revealed that Shafee was paid RM9.5 million for prosecuting Anwar. The affidavit was handed to Anwar on Thursday.

Shafee had said that the RM9.5 million was not payment for his services on the case, but for nearly 10 years of work for Umno. September 8, 2018.