Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said that Anwar Ibrahim should not be too hasty to accuse the government for its links to Apco when the opposition leader too has connections with several personalities on the global consultancy firm’s advisory council.

khairy jamaluddin kj interview 190310 "We have heard the explanation from opposition leader on Apco, which I find a very tenuous argument, saying that Apco is connected to the Israel regime and the country’s security is threatened when Malaysia hired Apco as a communications consultant," said Khairy ( left ), who is Rembau MP.

He said it is for the government to explain the role of Apco and its terms of reference, but he accused Anwar of having links with several members in the company's advisory council.

"Members of the International Advisory Council of Apco that Anwar has accused of having strong links with the Israeli government include those who have very strong personal and professional links with Anwar," said Khairy.

Reading out a list of names of people who are on Apco's International Advisory Board, Khairy said if Anwar claimed that Apco has direct connections with Israel by virtue of its members, the latter too has direct links to Israel.

Among them were former US congressman Stephen Solarz, who had worked together with Anwar on various issues and they are both executive committee members of the global NGO International Crisis Group and former Canadian ambassador Sergio Marchi, who while in the World Trade Organisation, had openly gave his support to Anwar during his incarceration in 1998.

Others were former Polish president Aleksander Kwasniewski and  former Indian foreign minister Lalit Mansingh.

 

"If Anwar’s allegations are true, then he also has direct links with what he has alleged today. This is not only one individual, but six individuals with connections to Anwar in the International Advisory Council of Apco,” said Khairy.

"Clearly, 1Malaysia was mentioned by Najib Abdul Razak in his first speech immediately becoming prime minister (April), while the contract of Apco appointment was made in August last year," said Khairy.

                            

Links to Ethos Consulting

Asked on his links to local firm Ethos Consulting - said to have recommended Apco to Najib - Khairy said that this was a deliberate action to malign his image.

parliament gobind singh ban over nazri mistake 251108 04 Khairy assured that he would be submitting the information of Anwar's connection to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz ( left ), who is in charge of parliamentary affairs.

"This is a tactic from the opposition to divert the attention especially from their internal problems. What is more appalling is that this is to divert attention from the international lobbying done by Anwar to gain support in his court case.

"He is mobilising international pressure. He went to the UK, the memorandum from the MPs of Australia… meeting former US president Al Gore in the UK - all this is to divert attention and to show that he is getting international support, which one day he might be able to show his thanks," said Khairy.

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