You’re Umno media, Anwar charges at Press Conference (UPDATED WITH VIDEO)
(Malaysian Digest) – A visibly upset Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim resorted to accusing several media representatives of being “Umno media” at a heated press conference at PKR headquarters this morning.
Media representatives from the mainstream publications and news portals such as Malaysian Digest, Agenda Daily and The Mole were quickly branded “Umno media” by not just Anwar but also his right-hand man Azmin Ali.
The two fielded a barrage of questions from reporters who asked them to comment on a video footage purportedly exchanging instructions before Bersih supporters broke through the barricades.
Cyberspace was abuzz with criticisms of both personalities, whom many felt had not done the Bersih 3.0 organizers any favor by inciting supporters to occupy Dataran Merdeka.
Anwar denied that he had done so, and instead claimed that he had asked them to disperse and refrain from occupying the square.
“If you watched the video, I instructed the crowd asking them to disperse and go towards Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman,” he said.
However, when Malaysian Digest’s SHAIK MOHAMAD AMIN SHAIK ALAUDIN pointed out that he saw Azmin cajoling the crowd to move towards the square, Anwar responded by asking: “Where are you from?”
When our reporter mentioned our news portal, Anwar retorted: “Umno” Azmin, on the other hand, shouted: “Bohong” (it’ a lie).
“Umno blogs have been spreading lies stating that I had encouraged the crowd to occupy Dataran Merdeka, but that is not what my gestures really meant,” said Anwar.
Azmin claimed that the exchanges of gestures with Anwar was him telling Anwar that a negotiation with the police personnel regarding their application to enter Dataran Merdeka was in progress.
“My action and information exchange that was recorded on the video showed me telling Anwar that I was already negotiating (with the police. That’s all,” said Azmin.
Commenting on his exchange with another man who was seen beside him, Azmin said he cannot identify the person.
The said person is believed to be the first person to have removed the barricade.
“I can’t remember, I will look at the video again to identify that guy,” Azmin said.
When asked for clarification on whether it is true that the man in question was a PKR member, Azmin said that the party will investigates and disciplinary action will be taken if it is proven that a party member had broken the law.
Azmin also denied any involvement when told by Malaysian Digest that he was overheard telling Anwar that Dataran is now open and accessible.
“It’s a lie,” said Azmin.
The Mole’s reporter was also given the same treatment. He was accused of being an Umno media before PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli butted in: “Ini KJ punya [They are Khairy Jamaluddin’s (news portal)].
Meanwhile, Anwar accused the media for over-publicizing the violent incidents, “leaving the struggle of 300,000 people unheard.
“You keep focusing on the (wild) incidents, what about the 300,000 people and their demand for free and fair election,” said Anwar.
Anwar also blamed Umno for being behind all the chaos and destruction that happened during the Bersih 3.0 rally.
“Umno wants you to believe that the people and Bersih support public violence. This is how Umno and their media work,” he added.
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