KLANG: The police will record the statements of Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in connection with a recent audio clip that purportedly contains their conversation.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said they had opened investigation papers (IP) into the matter.
"The standard operating procedure is that when the IP is opened, a statement is recorded. When the time comes, the investigating officer will record their statements.
"If either Anwar or Zahid feel persecuted, they can come forward and lodge a police report so the police can investigate from that angle," he said in a press conference in Bandar Puteri, near here.
He said the recording is now being analysed at a forensic laboratory for its authenticity.
The results of the analysis, he added, would be submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers for case classification and further action.
Yesterday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the police had received eight reports from various individuals on the phone conversation.
On April 7, a four-minute audio clip of an alleged conversation between Zahid and Anwar went viral on social media.
The conversation started with Zahid's speech during the recent Umno general assembly, where he said the party would not accept Anwar, DAP and Bersatu as allies.
Also discussed was the need to hold an emergency Supreme Council meeting to outline an exit plan from the Perikatan Nasional government.
On Wednesday, Zahid in a statement denied having a conversation with Anwar after the assembly.
Anwar also denied his involvement in the audio recording.