SHAH ALAM - A photo of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim having a hearty-meal is old news, says PKR's Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim who was seated at the same table went the event took place.
In a Facebook post, he said the photo showcasing the prime minister enjoying a hearty meal of Nasi Arab in a big tray was from 2019.
He said Anwar at that time Anwar went to Doha, Qatar on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Qatar and an international conference commemorating the famous Islamic renaissance figure Malek ben Malek at the famous University in Doha.
He added that Anwar and his entourage visited the famous Islamic scholar Sheikh Dr Yusof Al-Qardawi where a close relative of the Sheikh invited them to stop by his house before returning home to Malaysia.
"I felt the need to defend Anwar's good name from this slander as I know the truth behind the photo since I was also in it," Hassan wrote in the post.
In the said picture, Hassan was seen seated to Anwar's left.
He also pointed out that Anwar was still the opposition leader at that time and had just won the Port Dickson then.
"We fight slander with facts and rational explanations. That is more civil," he said.
Yesterday, account holder Sam MY Facebook uploaded a photo of Anwar eating with several individuals. The account holder further claimed that while the rakyat were told to eat the budget Rahmah Menu, the prime minister enjoyed a sumptuous meal of rice in a large tray.
Following that, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly asked the Communications and Multimedia Commission and the police to probe the post which he described as malicious and deliberately causing prejudice against the prime minister by posting old photos.