SHAH ALAM - A leaked email from 2017 between Liberal International (LI) and PKR appears to contradict Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's claim that his party was never a part of the UK-based group, group criticised by Malaysian politicians for its sympathetic stance on Israel.
The MalaysiaNow revealed a screenshot of the email allegedly sent to Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah which had circulated after Anwar's denial in the Dewan Rakyat today.
In the email, LI's Communication and Political Outreach head William Townsend expressed hope that Nurul Izzah could attend a convention in Andorra as a representative of PKR.
"We are expecting a strong turnout of Liberals from around the world and have taken a new approach to the formulation of the congress programme, which promises to be lively, informative and a great opportunity for expanding the party's political network," Townsend wrote.
He also brought up the matter of PKR's unpaid membership dues for the years 2016 and 2017.
MalaysiaNow stated that it had verified the email's authenticity.
This email surfaced hours after Anwar's declaration in the Dewan Rakyat, where he refuted PKR's involvement with LI, despite previous reports and statements from the group referring to PKR as a "full member."
"We have never been a member. We were an 'associate' at the initial stage, but due to some of their decisions, including their recognition of the LGBT and the stance on Israel, we did not become a member," said Anwar.
A source from PKR told MalaysiaNow that the incident signified a severe public relations crisis for the party.
They stressed that PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil should shoulder the responsibility for this situation.
"It was an unnecessary crisis, one that requires honesty and truth. Fahmi bungled from the start by denying PKR was a member and then threatening legal action against critics.
"This is no longer about our stance on Israel, it's not an issue. The issue is whether we have been caught lying," the source told MalaysiaNow who has served as an aide to several current and former PKR leaders.
LI, a global coalition of political parties, identifies itself as a federation of 'liberal and progressive democratic political parties.'
The organisation supported Anwar during his incarceration while raising concerns about judicial independence in the country.
In 2015, then PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail addressed LI's executive committee gathering in Zurich, Switzerland where she stressed her husband's plight during his imprisonment during her speech.
At that meeting, a unanimous resolution was passed, underscoring the importance of the 'struggle for justice' in Malaysia.
Yesterday, the media reported Anwar said PKR has never been a member of the international organisation, Liberal International and also hoped that the issue would not be politicised.