Selangor Umno today claimed that PKR had received support from a Jewish-linked organisation when it faced the 2008 general election.

State party secretary Mohd Zin Mohamed said the Konrad Adeneur Foundation (KAF) had close links with the German ruling party Christian Democratic Union.

He added the foundation was one of the organisations responsible for chanelling funds to PKR and providing human capital training for its officials.

Mohd Zain alleged that KAF also helped the opposition party prepare its manual leading up to the general election.

"KAF is the largest think-tank of the German government... KAF also helps the neo-conservative Jewish community through the American Jewish Committee (AJC)," he added.

NONE "This is the approach taken by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, with the help of foreign aid that is undemocratic in order to compete with us.

"They (PKR) used these methods to create hatred towards (BN) leaders of the country.

"Their efforts began in 2004, all the way up to the 2008 GE," Mohd Zain (left) said at a press conference at the Selangor Umno office in Shah Alam today.

Mohd Zain added that KAF representative Peter Schier also confirmed PKR’s link with KAF in an interview with English daily The Sun several years ago.

“(Schier) admitted that his organisation had sponsored leadership courses for PKR,” said the Selangor Umno coordinator.

Mohd Zain added that besides KAF, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) had also prepared an election manual specifically for Malaysia, which was translated to Bahasa Malaysia.

Questioning the need for this, Mohd Zain said: “The book claims that Malaysia has no media freedom and freedom of religion. The PKR considers this NDI book to be their holy book in facing the general election.”

Anwar’s letter to former World Bank chief

To support his claim, Mohd Zain also distributed copies of documents signed by the opposition leader.

Among them includes a 2007 letter addressed to former World Bank president Robert Zoellick.

He added that using religious sentiments and hatred to take over power is most “primitive and uncivilised”.

“Umno and all mature Malaysians cannot accept this form of colonisation,” he said.

According to its website, KAF has had a presence in Malaysia for over three decades and supported work in areas of economic reform, rule of law, poverty allevation and international relations.

Its local partners include the Academy for Responsible Management, the Bar Council of Malaysia, Community Communications Centre, Institut for Policy Research, Malaysian Institute of Management and the Nutgraph.

German foundation rebuts Umno delegate's claims