PKR has never been a member of international organisation Liberal International, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar, who is also PKR president, also hoped that the issue would not be politicised.

“On Liberal International, your honourable can check as we were never a member,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

“We were initially an associate but because some of their decisions, including recognising lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) and the stand of (supporting) Israel, we did not become a member.”

Anwar was replying during Minister’s Question Time to a supplementary question by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PAS), who wanted an explanation as to whether PKR had ever been a member of an organisation that supports Israel.

Anwar said he had attended and delivered a keynote address at the Liberal International conference in Cairo, Egypt. Among those present were the leader of the opposition party in Egypt at the time, Ayman Nour; Ikhwan al Muslimim (Muslim Brotherhood) representative Mahdi Akif and Mohamed Morsi (before he became president of Egypt).

He said Mahdi congratulated him on his firm stand on issues related to tyranny, rights to the people and Palestine.

“So despite the difference in some of our opinions, it’s true that I attended (the conference)... we are also present at the United Nations, and at the UN which Israel is a recognised member,” he said.

“But our presence as a (UN) member does not mean we have anything to do with Israel. We have no relationship with Israel.”

On Liberal International’s support for Israel, Anwar said PKR had severed ties with the organisation and the matter had been reported to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also PKR’s head of information.

“We broke off the relationship over the issue of supporting Israel and this was announced by the communications and digital minister as the head of information,” he said.

“In relation to several international bodies that I have attended… I was present as the chairman but there are limits. When the issue of Israel’s recognition arises, I said this is our limit, but negotiations on all other issues, for example, on Asean can continue.”

On Friday, Fahmi said PKR has never been a member of Liberal International following allegations linking the party to the organisation.

Citing the example of relations between Asean countries, Anwar said each nation’s stand on Palestine is different, but Asean members have good relations. – Bernama, November 7, 2023.