Bersih – Anwar’s global fundraising ‘vehicle’?
Former Transparency International president Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim said he was the first choice to head US-funded Malaysian election watchdog for free and fair polls.
Athi Shankar, FMT
Election watchdog, Bersih, is a vehicle created by Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to obtain foreign funding for his political activities, alleged Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, the former president of Transparency International Malaysia TIM today.
Tunku Aziz suggested that Bersih co-chairpersons S Ambiga and A Samad Said could have been wittingly or unwittingly engaged by Anwar, to conceal his international funding network.
“Anwar makes good use of his international networking to get these funds. I don’t know whether Bersih leaders knew it or not.
“But Bersih is Anwar’s vehicle to receive international funds under the guise of democracy and free and fair elections.
“Bersih is not a non-partisan independent organisation.
“It’s Anwar’s baby,” Tunku Aziz, the former DAP vice-chairman and senator, told FMT.
He said he knew about Bersih’s foreign funding when he was invited for talks by Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah a few years ago on the possibility of heading then an unnamed election watchdog.
At the time, Tunku Aziz was still involved in TIM. He had not joined the DAP.
He said Nurul Izzah, certain PKR leaders, Anwar’s aides and two Americans were present when he attended the meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
International funding
Tunku Aziz said he understood that the two Americans were heading different US-based foundations.
He said during their discussions, it was the foreigners who were calling the shots and outlining the functions and operations of the imminent watchdog.
“In the meeting, I was offered to head the watchdog because they said I have the credentials, integrity and credibility for the post.
“They told me that the movement was to ensure free and fair elections in the country,” said Tunku Aziz, disclosing that he was offered some US$4,000 monthly plus other perks and allowances for his position
