1Malaysia, One Israel: Anwar to explain next Tuesday

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim will be given the opportunity to explain to Dewan Rakyat next Tuesday on his allegation that the government's '1Malaysia' campaign was devised by the same firm behind the Israeli regime’s 'One Israel'.

PKR vice-president R Sivarasa told reporters in Parliament that deputy house speaker Ronald Kiandee slotted 11.30am next Tuesday for Anwar to give his explanation.

This was decided after a 20-minute meeting between Anwar and Kiandee at the latter’s office today, said Sivarasa, who is Subang member of Parliament.

"Anwar and I went to meet the deputy speaker earlier so he can get an explanation from the deputy speaker on his decision. The deputy speaker told us that he was given seven days to explain," said Sivarasa.

Sivarasa, who was speaking on Anwar's behalf, explained that a sooner date was not possible as Anwar will be travelling overseas and the opposition leader is only available next week.

Anwar last week claimed that public relations firm Apco Worldwide was once engaged by the Israeli government headed by Ehud Barak, and had helped in coming up with the One Israel slogan.

Anwar said Apco subsequently helped to come up with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 1Malaysia concept after being engaged by the Malaysian government.

The Permatang Pauh MP also claimed that Apco is led by an Israeli leader who was formerly an ambassador to the United States.

“Is this not an issue to Umno? In 2009, Apco advised Najib on 1Malaysia. The rest is up to your own interpretation," Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat last Wednesday while debating the royal address.

Following this, Apco released a statement denying Anwar's claim, prompting Kota Belud BN MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan to cite Standing Orders 36 (12) yesterday, calling for action against Anwar for misleading the House.

At the time, since Anwar was absent from the House, Minister in charge of Parliamentary affairs Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said the former would be given a week to back up his claim or the government will move a motion to refer him to the Rights and Privileges Committee.