BN, PKR trade anti-Semitism barbs

SEBERANG JAYA, Aug 24 — As Barisan Nasional and PKR intensify their campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Malay voters in the final 48 hours before polling day, anti-Semitism has reared its ugly head in the Permatang Pauh by-election with both sides accusing each other of having secret affairs with the state of Israel and the Jewish lobby.

PKR leaders removed banners in Seberang Jaya yesterday that had claimed PKR's candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim plans to establish diplomatic relation with Israel. "Today Anwar becomes the prime minister. Tomorrow Israel opens its embassy in Kuala Lumpur," read the banner complete with a picture of Anwar and Israeli, American and Singaporean flags.

Handbills with a photo of Anwar and Israeli flag were also distributed during the campaign period, accusing the former deputy prime minister of being a Jewish agent and the father of all political conspiracies.

The handbills were also be found at Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah's home.

Several BN campaigners met in Seberang Jaya today denied any involvement with the flyers and banners linking Anwar to Israel and Jewish lobby.

"We don't know who printed them. Some canvassers may have used and distributed them," said a source close to Arif Shah's campaign who requested anonymity.

"Only the glossy flyers are officially from us," she added. Arif Shah had also explained yesterday that he does not endorse all the campaign flyers found in his home.

"If I find anything that I disagree, I will ask my people to remove them," he said.

But for PKR, the anti-Semitic messages disseminated by the BN camp is inappropriate.

"I think they are desperate. I fully regret the action to link Anwar with Israel. They should realise that it is our country's policy not to recognise the state of Israel," said PKR youth election director Fariz Musa. He also denied any involvement with the banners.

Fariz, who was met at the PKR youth operation centre in Seberang Jaya, also urged the Election Commission to remove all banners that do not carry the publisher's particulars.

But PKR had also employed the same method of smearing its opponent with the Jewish tag.

Anwar, in an interview with Islamic news portal Islamonline.net last week, accused the Malaysian government of supporting the pro-Israel lobby in the US and Jewish groups in Israel.

"I have evidence proving that the government is backing the Jewish lobby in the US and some parties inside Israel," he reportedly said.

National Institute of Electoral Integrity executive director Amin Iskandar said that both sides should refrain from making anti-Semitic remarks in their campaign.

"It is very unhealthy to resort to racism. Both sides should campaign in a mature manner," said Amin, who has been monitoring the by-election campaign with a group of volunteers since nomination day.

Anti-Semitic remarks have been often used to demonise political enemies in Malaysia as any link with Israel is seen as high treachery and a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

During the March 8 general election, a video alleging Anwar and various opposition candidates including PKR's Khalid Jaafar and Azmin Ali were conspiring with Jewish elements to topple the Malaysian Islamic government, was also distributed.