Opposition leader called to defend himself over Apco statement
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be called by the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee on June 8 to defend himself over his claim that the 1Malaysia concept was mooted by American consultancy firm Apco Worldwide after the One Israel concept.Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh, a member of the committee, said any views and suggestions made by the committee on the matter would be referred to the Dewan Rakyat for a decision.
“I believe that he (Anwar) should be given a fair opportunity to defend himself.
“He may also be allowed to bring witnesses but that will depend on the committee,” he said after attending a committee meeting at parliament building, here, tyesteray.
Karpal Singh said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz would also be called to give his statement before the committee.
Yesterday’s committee meeting was chaired by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.
Besides Karpal Singh, the other five members are Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah), Datuk Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar), Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong) and R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang).
On April 22, the Dewan Rakyat voted to refer Anwar to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee following a motion tabled by Mohamed Nazri.
Apco Worldwide had denied Anwar’s allegation.
According to Apco, the Malaysian government had used its consultancy services after the 1Malaysia concept was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and that Anwar’s allegation about the firm’s involvement in the One Israel campaign was not true. — Bernama