Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the person or persons responsible for spreading the letter on social media had committed three offences, namely falsifying his signature, using an official government letterhead and resorting to defamation.
He said police had received no less than 20 complaints relating to the poison pen letter and had been informed that the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission were carrying out thorough investigations to track down the person or persons responsible.
“I am certain that whoever did this will face the full brunt of the law,” he told reporters after opening the Indian Progressive Front’s 24th general assembly here today.
Zahid was asked to comment on the dissemination of the appendix of a poison pen letter via social media and the WhatsApp application, that contained the list of names in a new cabinet with Zahid named as prime minister.
The poison pen letter also urged all cabinet members to pressure Najib into stepping down as prime minister.
Zahid, who is also Umno vice president but performing the duties of deputy president, said the letter was a form of slander, deliberately disseminated to create tension in Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno.
“They are envious of the close relationship between the prime minister and I which developed when Najib was still Youth and Sports Minister and also Umno Youth chief. They are jealous of the unity and solidarity in Umno. So, they want to pit the leaders against one another.
“They know that if they can drive a wedge between us (Najib and him), their aim will be achieved,” he said.
Zahid said the poison pen letter did not have much impact on Umno and BN because many doubted the contents of the letter especially since the letterhead and his signature were falsified.
In addition, he said, the list of posts mentioned did not comply with protocol or guidelines.
Yesterday, Najib, who is also Umno president, said the dissemination of such rumours was an effort to damage the close ties between him and his deputy.