PKR de facto head Anwar Ibrahim is prepared to assist the royal
commission of inquiry (RCI) into 'Project IC' in the face of the
allegation that he had rejected a probe into Sabah’s
citizenship-for-votes covert operation while he was deputy premier.
"I
have no problem and I am prepared to give full cooperation even though I
was never given any responsibility in that matter in my entire tenure
as a minister and deputy prime minister,” he told a press conference in
Shah Alam last night.
"This task was never handed to me and I was never brought into any meetings that involved this decision. I only understand that is came under the National Security Council and a special unit under (then) prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamed)."
Stressing the need for transparency, Anwar said the RCI investigation should not attempt to shield any parties responsible for the alleged project.
Asked about MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek's allegation that he had been the first to reject the setting up of RCI while in government in 1994, Anwar replied that the truth will be revealed when the current commission conducts its investigation.
"That is why I said, ‘how then do you establish the truth’? By having an open RCI," he said.
"I
have no problem and I am prepared to give full cooperation even though I
was never given any responsibility in that matter in my entire tenure
as a minister and deputy prime minister,” he told a press conference in
Shah Alam last night."This task was never handed to me and I was never brought into any meetings that involved this decision. I only understand that is came under the National Security Council and a special unit under (then) prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamed)."
Stressing the need for transparency, Anwar said the RCI investigation should not attempt to shield any parties responsible for the alleged project.
Asked about MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek's allegation that he had been the first to reject the setting up of RCI while in government in 1994, Anwar replied that the truth will be revealed when the current commission conducts its investigation.
"That is why I said, ‘how then do you establish the truth’? By having an open RCI," he said.
Anwar also hit back at Chua, describing him as Umno’s "cheap
spokesperson" and as someone who is incapable of standing up for MCA or
the community it represents.
'Don'tbe prejudiced'
He further defended the defection of three senior BN representatives -
Tuaran MP Wilfred Bumburing, Beaufort MP Lajim Ukin and senator Maijol
Mahap - who have since aligned themselves with Pakatan Rakyat.
"They
came in to register their strong protest of the failure of the BN
government in terms of championing the rights of Sabahans, the failure
to combat corruption and the inconsistent position in the formation of
RCI.
"I don't think we should be prejudiced against anyone who wants to contribute, including ex-BN members.”
However, Anwar assured that candidates from the opposition coalition for the next general election would have a "fairly good, if not impeccable credibility".
"They
came in to register their strong protest of the failure of the BN
government in terms of championing the rights of Sabahans, the failure
to combat corruption and the inconsistent position in the formation of
RCI. "I don't think we should be prejudiced against anyone who wants to contribute, including ex-BN members.”
However, Anwar assured that candidates from the opposition coalition for the next general election would have a "fairly good, if not impeccable credibility".
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