Anwar likely to get 6-mth parliamentary suspension, stopped from exposing 1Malaysia's APCO link

Anwar pointed out Najib's neglect of national security

Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

UPDATED Prime Minister Najib Razak has pulled out all stops to prevent his arch rival Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim from linking his 1 Malaysia slogan to APCO, a U.S.-based firm that is believed to be managed by former top Israeli secret service agents.

"We have all the files, the documents and were ready to face any of their questions. But instead giving me the chance to defend myself, the BN parliamentarians said they had enough 'evidence' to decide whether or not to suspend me," Anwar toldMalaysia Chronicle.

APCO's huge power over Najib

The democracry icon had held a press conference this afternoon along with his lawyers - Karpal Singh, Sivarasa Rasiah and Ambiga Sreenevasan, after the Najib government sprung a surprise in Parliament this morning.

The powerful Rights and Privileges committee, which consists of a majority of BN lawmakers, decided it was not necessary to call on Anwar, whom they had accused of misleading Parliament over APCO's role in the conceptualization of 1 Malaysia.

They said they would rely on a letter from APCO and would not call on other witnesses to testify either. The rushed manner in which the case was suddenly revived sparked speculation that Anwar will be slapped with a minimum 6-month suspension from Parliament.

"I do not know what letter APCO has given to our BN colleagues in Parliament that is so powerful that they will believe this firm rather than me. That they have a hidden agenda is clear," Anwar had earlier told a press conference.

The Najib administration has been reported to be APCO's single largest client. Najib has told Parliament that he paid APCO RM77 million for fees, but pundits said that was only for the first year. The firm's contract has been renewed and its new remuneration is believed to run into hundreds of millions. 1 Malaysia is Najib's core concept to unite the country, unveiled when he came to power in 2009.

Another black day for Islam and Malaysia

Indeed, the rush with which the APCO decision comes after the Najib administration delayed and buried the issue for months forebodes ill for Anwar's sodomy trial, which resumes on Monday.

According to Karpal and Sivarasa, who are also members of the Rights and Privileges Committee, the meeting was called out of the blue.

"Suddenly, Muar MP Razali Ibrahim moved a motion that the matter to be heard and the motion was seconded by Alor Gajah MP Dr Fong Chan Onn," Karpal told reporters.

"Sivarasa was also there and we protested against the hearing of the matter. I questioned why the hurry, and Razali said, 'why not?'."

When they realized that Anwar would not be given the chance to defend himself, both men walked out.

Anwar had earlier this year accused Najib of forsaking national security and the nation's own foreign policy of not recognizing or having any dealings with the Israeli government. In a speech to Parliament, Anwar revealed the identities of top APCO management, who were former heads of Shin Bet.

He accused APCO of basing Najib's 1 Malaysia on former Israeli premier Ehud Barak's One Israel, which if true, would be taboo for the majority of Malaysia's predominantly Muslim population.

At that time, the outrage was so great, Muslim leaders in the country banded together to submit a memorandum to the King to censure Najib and demand the termination of the APCO contract. They even threatened to lodge a formal complaint to the Organization of Islamic Conference.

"The link between Najib and APCO and 1 Malaysia is very clear and this is why they are afraid. We can show the appointment of Omar Mustafa to APCO and we all know the link between Omar and Najib," Sivarasa told reporters at the sidelines of the conference.

Omar Mustafa is known to be one of Najib's "operators", who helps him to oversee the petroleum and media sectors. He was made a Petronas director despite sizzling complaints from many of the Petronas staff.

"This is a black day for Malaysia's Parliament. In fact, it is a black day for all lawyers and all Malaysians who believe in the rule of law and justice. That the accused can be denied the right to speak out for himself is unheard of. Malaysia is regressing," said Ambiga.

Anwar is the first Malaysian leader who has been able to unite the opposition and present a meaningful threat to the BN's 57-year hold on the federal government. In 2008, when he announced his decision to contest a parliamentary seat, the BN government pressed manifestly fabricated sodomy charges against him in a bid to derail his political career.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the Parliament Pandikar Amin has confirmed a decision on Anwar has been made and will be announced on Wednesday.