KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 8 — PKR information chief Tian Chua denied that opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim likened Umno to Israel.

Instead, he claimed that Anwar’s words at a ceramah on nomination night had been misreported and were being twisted by Umno leaders.

He told reporters that the fiery orator was, instead, referring to the weak and corrupted leadership of certain Arab countries who failed to stand up to their Israeli neighbour.

Speaking at a press conference here, Tian Chua also called on media which had reported that Anwar said Umno was like Israel to retract what they had written.

At another press conference across town in the afternoon, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said called the opposition leader’s comparison of Umno with Israel “unbecoming of a leader”.

He said Anwar’s statement that the current conflict in the Gaza Strip was similar to the situation in Malaysia as simply “not right”.

“You talk like a Muslim, but don’t act like one,” said Ahmad. “Is it true that Malaysia’s leadership is so cruel?”

Malaysia is among the countries around the world which has long sympathised with the Palestinian struggle for independence.

themalaysianinsider

• Opposition stage walkout at Parliament
• Ten things PKR wants Wan Farid to explain
• Anwar Meets PAS Leaders
• Anwar: Talk of rift in PR fuelled by Umno
• Pakatan and BN leaders condemn Mukhriz