Sekretariat Gerak Gempur Media Sosial Rakyat spokesman Shahbudin Embun said the video, which has gone viral, was believed to have been uploaded by an individual to the Papa Berry Studios channel.

Shahbudin said the video, which claimed Anwar recognised Israel’s existence, was aimed at inciting and provoking the public, especially the Muslim community, Bernama reported.

“This is slander, malicious and an insult to him (Anwar),” he said when met at the Dang Wangi police headquarters.

“We know that Anwar has fought for the Palestinians’ rights since he was a youth. We will not compromise in this matter.”

Shahbudin hopes that the police will investigate the case under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman confirmed that they had received the report and said the case would be referred to Bukit Aman’s classified crime investigation unit.

Anwar was reported to have said “Malaysia recognised Israel’s right to exist and to defend itself”, based on footage of the interview.

Last Friday, Anwar stressed that Malaysia remains consistent in its stance on Israel and emphasised that Putrajaya has never diplomatically recognised the state’s existence.

“What needs to be understood is that we do not recognise Israel in terms of diplomatic relations and do not allow them to conduct trade or official activities in Malaysia,” he said.

“Israel exists as a country in the context of membership in the United Nations, but we still reject official recognition of the country,” he told a press conference with Malaysian media in Lima, Peru.