PKR has documentary evidence to prove that the Malaysian government had sought Israel’s support and vote for it to host the World Gas Conference scheduled to be held on June 4-8.

The party’s secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he has obtained reports, letters and other documents as proof of Umno’s hypocrisy over its ties with Israel.

"The conference gathers major oil and gas companies from all over the world.

"The organisation of the conference is based on vote by members of the International Gas Union (IGU) which includes Malaysia, Russia, Israel, Brunei, Indonesia and some others.

"The government had lobbied to hold the conference and sought Israel’s help to support Malaysia’s candidacy as host.

"Malaysia also indirectly offered to manage the registration and accommodation of Israeli representatives who attended the 2005 IGU Conference in Tianjin, China," Saifuddin told the media in parliament house today.

NONE He disagreed with the government's manner in seeking Israel’s help and blessings.

Wisma Putra’s advice to the Malaysian Gas Association (MGA), which represents Petronas, and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad ( right ) as advisor, is also questionable, he added.

Saifuddin claimed PKR has evidence of Mahathir’s and Wisma Putra’s blessings for the MGA to appeal for Israel’s support towards getting the rights to organise the triennial conference.

The PKR secretary-general also showed a letter written by a Malaysian representative to his Israeli counterpart, which verifies that Wisma Putra had approved the approach used for Malaysia to seek Israel’s support.

Evidence of Umno's hyprocrisy

“Umno leaders’ attitude in determining Wisma Putra’s policy is against the desire of Malaysians who do not want any diplomatic relations with Israel.

“This expose proves Umno leadership’s hypocrisy on issues pertaining to ties with Israel as it shows they want to establish diplomatic ties, and also proves that they are willing to bow down to get Israel’s support.

“PKR urges Wisma Putra and Mahathir to state their stand on allowing the organisers to appeal for help from Israel as this is against the solidarity of Malaysians in supporting the Palestinian cause,” said Saifuddin.

For the past few weeks Umno and its media have been attacking Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim over his Wall Street Journal interview claiming that the Permatang Pauh MP supported the Israeli cause.

 

Anwar, however, claimed that the mainstream media had taken the report and his statement out of context.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman had also said that Malaysia does not have ties with Israel.