Probe whether Chegubard is being paid to spread fake news, says Puad

Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has called on the police to take ‘stern action’ against those attempting to tarnish the good name of the King. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has called on the police to investigate whether people like Bersatu’s Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, are being paid to “spread false news”.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Allaudeen Abdul Majid yesterday said police received a report denying Badrul’s claim that three Perikatan Nasional (PN) representatives were summoned to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday.

In a Facebook post, Puad called on the police to take “stern action” against those attempting to tarnish the good name of the King.

“This has gone on for far too long. These false narratives about a change in government are repeatedly being linked to Istana Negara,” he said.

“The police need to investigate whether individuals like Chegubard are being paid (to spread such narratives). Are there parties willing to cover their legal costs if they are sued? Is this why they dare to spread false stories?”

He also accused PN leaders of not doing more to deny such reports. Instead, they were affirming these baseless narratives, he added.

In a Bernama report yesterday, Allaudeen said the police report which was lodged at the Travers police station denied Badrul’s “inaccurate statements”.

Allaudeen said Badrul allegedly made the statements in a 52-second video on TikTok.

He said the case would be investigated by Bukit Aman’s classified crime investigation unit.

Separately, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said Istana Negara officials filed a police report several hours before four Islamic NGO representatives submitted a memorandum to Istana Negara to convey their grievances regarding the state of the economy.

At a press conference in Putrajaya, Saifuddin said Istana Negara officials lodged the report to deny claims that the King had given his permission for the groups’ representatives to enter Istana Negara to submit the memorandum.

“We take this incident seriously, and I believe the police will take appropriate action.”

Nearly 1,000 people participated in the demonstration, carrying placards reading “Daulat Tuanku” and “Selamatkan Malaysia”. About 50 police officers were also present.

The memorandum was handed to a palace representative.