APCO chief to testify at Anwar’s rights panel hearing

APCO Worldwide chief executive officer Brad Staples will appear before the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee tomorrow to testify against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over his claims the company has Israeli links.

“The CEO himself will be here,” said a source close to the powerful Parliament committee.

He told The Malaysian Insider APCO Worldwide’s Europe, Middle East and Africa regional CEO is expected to tell the panel that Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia has nothing to do with One Israel.

“That is all we are interested to find out. We are not interested in anything else,” said the MP who spoke anonymously.

Privileges committee denies Anwar legal counsel

The parliamentary rights and privileges committee has convened its meeting to consider the propriety of specific remarks made in the House by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Wearing a beige suit and brown-and-yellow tie, Anwar (left) entered the room about 12.35pm, a little over an hour after the session was scheduled to start.

However, he was asked to leave the room while the committee decided on his formal requests for an open hearing and legal representation.

No lawyer for Anwar- Not allow for legal lawyers in Right and Privileges hearing.MPs not allow to view the processding also.

Denied legal representation in Right and Privilege hearing.MPs also denied to view the processding.


OPPOSITION Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was denied the right to have his lawyer Datuk S. Ambiga present during a Rights and Privileges Committee hearing which started this afternoon.

Anwar, who is accused of misleading the house over the Apco Worldwide issue, attended the first part of the meeting but was asked to leave shortly afterwards.

Committee members Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) and R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) said it was disappointing the majority of the members voted against Anwar having legal representation during the hearing.

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia chaired today's meeting. The committee members present, besides Karpal and Sivarasa, were deputy speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah), Datuk Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar) and Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong).

No entry to Anwar's hearing, MPs livid when they are allowed to join in the Anwar's Rights and Priveges hearing.

Opposition Members of Parliament were livid that they were not allowed to sit in for Anwar's Rights and Privieges hearing.

Penang Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim to face privileges committee- May 13 remarks,Army to take over police,using provocative words to cause unrests.

Penang Opposition Head Datuk Azhar Ibrahim (BN-Penaga, centre), who has been referred to the state Rights and Privileges Committee, standing outside the State Assembly during a break.


DAP assemblymen (from left) Lim Hock Seng, Koid Teng Guan,
RSN Rayer and Jagdeep Singh emerge from the state assembly
after a contentious session.

Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim (Penaga - BN) has been referred to the Special Rights and Privileges Committee for uttering words that could bring about public unrest when he engaged in a war of words with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

Backbencher Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datuk Keramat - DAP) proposed a motion to refer Azhar to the committee for violating rule number 46 (17b & c) by using provocative words, such as saying Umno has three million members, that he could call in the Malay 'Tiga Line gang' and asking the army to take over the duties of the police.

Ten backbenchers supported and agreed on the urgency of the motion to be decided upon and passed immediately.