Debate me to debunk conspiracy claims behind Anwar case, Rafizi challenges Khairy

(Malay Mail Online) – PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli challenged Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today to debate the opposition’s claims of “political conspiracy” behind Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy conviction.

Rafizi, who was responding to Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek’s suggestion to a televised debate on Anwar’s case, said Khairy, who is now leading a nationwide roadshow to defend Umno against the allegations, should come forward.

“I urge Khairy not to back down (from my offer) and to have the courage to come forward and defend Umno, whose name has already been tarnished, and who is seen as the mastermind behind the judgement against Anwar,” he told reporters at the party headquarters here.

Last week when announcing Umno Youth’s plan to explain Anwar’s conviction through public forums, Khairy said the campaign was necessary to preserve Umno’s dignity against long-standing claims that the party has been party to a political conspiracy against the Opposition Leader.

“Why do we do this? To explain the case further? Because for six years, and this has been the basis of their defence, that it was a political conspiracy by Barisan Nasional and Umno, and as a political party you expect us to keep quiet?

“For six years we have allowed them to criticise us freely and we just waited because we wanted to respect the judicial process… up until the latest case we kept quiet.

“Do not expect us to keep quiet after six years of silence,” Khairy said.

The youth and sports minister also claimed he was “called” to answer these allegations by the opposition on behalf of his party.