Utusan distorted my words ‘as usual’, says Anwar
By Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed Utusan Malaysia’s translation of a report in the US-based The Washington Post saying that the Malay mainstream media had “as usual distorted my words”.
Anwar, who was invited to lecture at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre, said he was asked to explain why he had used the word “Zionist”.
“I explained to them that my definition of Zionist was closely linked to acts of trespassing and Israel’s imperial policy.
“But they felt otherwise. Many Americans and Jews felt that it was an unfair translation because they felt that Zion was a country/government which was legitimate and fair.
“So I told them that if that was their understanding… then I did not feel the same way.
“I stood my ground and held the view that Zionists are tresspassers and colonisers. That was the statement that Utusan (Malaysia) has distorted.
“Utusan did not mention the fact that I said ‘the world had lost its patience with Israel’ . It also did not mention the more than RM70 milion paid to Apco Worldwide… so biasa la, we should understand,” said the Permatang Pauh MP.
Anwar explained that he visited Washington on the invitation of the Woodrow Wilson International Center to deliver a lecture.
Anwar said it was a norm for the organisors to arrange a session with the editorial team and international media after the lecture session.
