The resurrection of claims that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is a tool of the US’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) belies Umno’s desperation, PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin has charged.

                

Such desperation, in turn, stems from Umno’s failure to convince the public over such controversies as the government’s contracts with Apco Worldwide and Asiasoft , he added.

NONE “The CIA tool accusation is clearly biassed and ill-bred, following Anwar’s raising of issues that Umno-BN had failed to address with facts,” said Shamsul Iskandar ( right ) in a statement today.

The youth leader criticised Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, in particular, for saying action would be taken against Anwar if there was proof the latter had links with the US spy agency.

“That statement also shows that the institution of the police has lost its credibility 12 years after the ‘CIA tool’ (accusation) was first played up, as there has been no concrete nor authentic evidence furnished against Anwar,” Shamsul added.

Turning to Utusan Malaysia , which resurrected the claim against Anwar yesterday, Shamsul said the daily had betrayed the “struggles” of such pioneer Malay journalists such as Usman Awang, Keris Mas and A Samad Said.

“ Utusan is no longer an institution, but a media organisation that has sold itself completely,” he added.

In its its Sunday Mingguan Malaysia edition, the newspaper quoted one Elaine Meinel Supkis - who it described as being a “well-known blogger” - to "reveal" Anwar as a “tool” of the CIA.

“Anwar is a CIA creature. That is, he is not an 'agent' but rather, a 'tool'. His list of buddies proves this: they are all undercover CIA,” Mingguan quoted Meinel as saying in her 'Culture of Life News' blog.

Mingguan, citing Meinel's posting - bizarrely entitled 'CIA and Mossad want Anwar Ibrahim assassinated' - said Anwar serves to protect the US' interests and to undertake covert planning on its behalf in Malaysia