Razali says Anwar allowed defence over APCO claims

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been given the opportunity to defend himself on his allegation that the government’s 1 Malaysia concept was devised by the same firm behind the “One Israel” campaign of the Zionist regime, according to a member of the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.

The member, Datuk Razali Ibrahim, said Anwar was given two days during the Dewan Rakyat sitting last week to substantiate his allegation.

“He (Anwar) claimed that he has documents to back his allegation but he has never submitted them despite being asked to do so.

“He did not take the opportunity to submit the evidence although he has the right to do so,” Razali told reporters at his office in Parliament House here today.

On December 16, the Dewan Rakyat approved a motion suspending Anwar, who is the member of parliament for Permatang Pauh, for six months over his statement linking the 1 Malaysia concept with the “One Israel” campaign.

In the wake of a commotion created by opposition MPs, the motion to suspend Anwar tabled by the committee was passed without debate.

This was followed by a walkout by opposition MPs.

Razali said the company linked to the allegations, APCO Worldwide, had sent a letter to the committee denying its involvement in devising the policy, and instead affirmed that it was merely involved in assisting to improve services related to communications.

The committee, which is chaired by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, is also made up of Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor), R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang), Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong) and Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah).

Also on December 16, the Dewan Rakyat suspended for six months Karpal Singh, Sivarasa and Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) for having violated a regulation stipulating that any statement recorded before the Rights and Privileges Committee must be embargoed until its final report was tabled before the Dewan Rakyat. — Bernama

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