A group of concerned Americans, who claim that the official version of what had transpired on Sept 11, 2001 was far from the truth, have turned to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for help.

They want the former prime minister to push for an international investigation into the tragedy, which left thousands dead after two planes said to be hijacked by terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center (WTC).

According to Bernama , representatives of the group, including a survivor of the attacks, met Mahathir in Putrajaya yesterday.

"We want him (Mahathir who is also chairperson of Perdana Global Peace Organisation) to help us set up an international commission to reopen the investigation," said Jimmy Walter who has brought together individuals under the Reopen 911 organisation dedicated to opening a real investigation into the incident.

Joining him were American Free Press journalist Michael Collins Piper, Yvonne Ridley, who is the political editor of Islam Channel United Kingdom and William Rodriguez, the last man to run out of the WTC before it collapsed.

They claimed to have evidence that the towers came down in a controlled demolition and that a much bigger agenda lurked behind the war on terror.

The Reopen 911 organisation is offering US$1 million to anyone who can prove that explosives were not used in the catastrophe.

Shock the world

Recounting his ordeal, Rodriguez, a janitor of Puerto Rican descent, said he heard a huge explosion occurring in the basement of the North Tower seconds before an aircraft struck the building.

He single-handedly rescued 15 people from the WTC and as Rodriguez was the only person at the site with the master key to the North Tower stairwell, he led firefighters up the stairwell, unlocking doors as they ascended, thereby aiding in the successful evacuation of hundreds.

"We have access to evidence and information... that we realise that the whole thing was a scheme. The government knew it was going to happen, they needed to shock the world so they can create an agenda and have an excuse to attack Iraq, Afghanistan and others," he said.

Rodriguez said the so-called international war on terror meant that there would be a never-ending war that would benefit entities like weapon manufacturers.

Controversial journalist Piper said everything in the US revolved around Sept 11 with the survivors held up as heroes and Americans told that it was important to honour them as well as those who died.

"But here is the problem - although they put his (Rodriguez's) face on magazines, they will not tell you what he really has to say. What he told you today has never been reported by major US newspapers or newsmagazines," he said.

Piper said the fact was that in the US today there were "Jewish and Christian extremists" who used their combination of money and influence in Washington, taking command of the levers of power.

"And we are saying we do not appreciate this, they do not represent us, nor do they represent most Americans of all races," he added.

Piper said it was important for Malaysia and Muslims all over the world to realise that the agenda of the detractors of Islam was much bigger than events in West Asia.

The team is also heading for countries like Chile, Venezuela, Japan, South Africa and the UK to canvass support for the reopening of Sept 11 investigations.