Muhyiddin demands Anwar explain support for Israel’s safety

January 28, 2012

Muhyiddin questioned Anwar’s remarks as Malaysia does not have official ties with Israel. — File pic

MUAR, Jan 28 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim needs to clarify his reported blanket support for efforts to safeguard Israel’s security, Bernama Online reported Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as saying today.

The PKR de facto leader had said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that he supports “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel,” a statement that was played up by Umno-controlled media yesterday.

“Is this the stand of the opposition Pakatan (Rakyat) coalition, when the government does not even have diplomatic relations with Israel,” the deputy prime minister was quoted as saying in the report.

“The Barisan Nasional regrets this statement by Anwar,” Muhyiddin added, saying the opposition leader’s remarks appeared to ignore the plight of the Palestinians.

Earlier today, Umno Youth accused Anwar of defending “Israel’s Zionist regime” over his reported remarks, saying it was Palestinians who needed protection, defending and humanitarian aid after being oppressed by Israel.

Muslim-majority Malaysia is an ardent supporter of Palestine and has no diplomatic ties with Israel.

Muslim politicians have long vied for support from Malays by denouncing what they say is inhumane aggression from Israel towards its neighbour.

Anwar has previously been attacked as a supporter of the Zionist movement due to his interaction with prominent Jewish figures in the West.

But the opposition leader had turned the tables on BN in 2010 when he claimed public relations firm APCO Worldwide, then contracted by Putrajaya, was responsible for both the 1 Malaysia and 1 Israel campaigns.