Anifah slams Anwar for not telling the truth about Malaysia
(Bernama) WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman on Thursday blasted opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for not telling the truth about Malaysia and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"We have utmost faith in our judicial system. And insofar as Anwar Ibrahim is concerned, we know him very, very well. More or less, what he has said, especially overseas, most of the things (he said) are untrue.
"He has repeatedly said before the election that he would provide evidence and yet, until today, he has not given anything," Anifah said at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton here.
Anwar had said that he would form a government on Sept 16 last year but had changed the dates several times.
"He was trying to entice the members of parliament. I was also offered to jump to the opposition with promise of a lucrative position, and told that it's akin to a (post of) deputy prime minister. These are not known to the world at large (until now)."
Anifah said the government was concerned that Anwar had been tarnishing the image of the country abroad.
"He has given the wrong impression and accused all government officials of being corrupt."
Meanwhile, Malaysia has expressed hope to the US for the return of two citizens being held at the US-operated military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The matter was raised during a bilateral meeting on Thursday between Anifah and Clinton at the State Department here.
"Malaysia has expressed its hope for the return of the two Malaysians once the review process of the two prisoners is completed," Wisma Putra said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur.
Mohd Farik Amin or Zaid (Zubair) and Mohammed Nazir Lep or Bashir Lep (Lillie) were held for their alleged involvement in Jemaah Islamiah and al-Qaeda militant groups since 2003. They are among 250 detainees held at the US facility.
At the meeting, both leaders of the countries also reaffirmed their commitment towards the conclusion of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
"Malaysia hopes that as a major economic power, United States would exercise flexibility and understanding to help facilitate the conclusion of the Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement (Musfta)," the statement added.
Malaysia remained supportive of the efforts taken by US President Barack Obama's administration to reach out to the Muslim world and welcomed its commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East conflict, as well as appreciated its support to the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet Roadmap towards peace.
Anifah also extended an invitation to Clinton to visit Malaysia when she attends the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference and the Asean Regional Forum in July.
