PETALING JAYA: Umno agents are planning to reveal more videos on senior PKR leaders, purportedly linking them to sexual misconduct, said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution.
Speaking at a press conference held at the party headquarters, Saifuddin said that the Umno agents are now targeting four PKR leaders.
“They are targeting Anwar (Ibrahim) and Nurul (Izzah Anwar). The other videos supposedly implicating other leaders such as Khalid (Ibrahim) are still being manufactured,” said Saifuddin, who was flanked by PKR communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Saifuddin said he received a call from some people about three days ago and was told about the videos and photographs.
The Machang MP, together with other leaders, said that he met the agents in Kuala Lumpur, and was shown two videos and photographs.
“I don’t know who these people are but they seem to be in the know of production work. It looks like they want to inflict maximum damage on us nearing general election,” said Saifuddin.
Recently, pro-Umno blogger Papagomo, or his real name Wan Muhd Azri Wan Deris, released a video, purportedly showing Anwar engaging in homosexual activity.
The Permatang Pauh MP later filed a RM100 million defamation suit against the blogger.
Game of perception
Saifuddin dismissed the allegations levelled against the PKR leaders, saying the agents were attempting to perpetuate the culture of slander nearing the 13th general election.
Asked on what demands the agents made, Saifuddin refused to divulge details, saying the agents employed the carrot and stick approach.
When asked if he was rattled by the video clips shown, Saifuddin said, “We don’t feel threatened at all. It’s part and parcel of politics.”
Saifuddin said that he believed that the agents merely wanted PKR to know that they have such material, which may be published during the general election.
“It’s a game of perception. They just want us to fall in their trap,” he said.
He later criticised Umno and Barisan Nasional for employing dirty tactics in order to win the general election.
“When we ask for debate, you reject our request. When we launch our manifesto, you launch a (sex) video,” he said.
Saifuddin also urged Malaysians to reject the slanderous attacks and not to be tricked by the ruling government’s dirty tricks.
“All this attacks only make us stronger and propel us to move forward. The people will definitely make a wise choice for a better Malaysia by voting for Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.
RTM airtime rejected
On another matter, Nik Nazmi said that PKR would also reject the 10 minutes airtime offered by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to speak about their manisfesto.
The Seri Setia state assemblyman said that offer was a poorly concocted political ploy and was a mockery of democracy.
“The 10 minutes offer is an insult to our intelliegence. Media in a true democracy provide objective coverage, not serve as a propaganda machine for Umno to force its view on the masses,” he said.
Yesterday, PAS and DAP rejected the offer made by Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim’s offer, saying it the proposal was insult to democracy.
Nik Nazmi said that taking up RTM’s offer would only validate the government’s meagre attempt in restoring media freedom.
“We want equal access to the media and allow the people to assess our policies as well, instead of promoting gutter politics via the mainstream press. Enough is enough,” he said.
