Khalid: It was necessary for Anwar’s brother to go - The Star

KLANG: Jun 30, 2008

The resignation of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s younger brother Rusli as special adviser to Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) president Datuk Abdul Karim Munisar was necessary, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said.

He said he had personally advised Rusli to resign from the post about two weeks ago.

“I was not aware of Rusli’s appointment as adviser. He acted on his own accord when accepting and later resigning from the post.

“It is a tough and sad thing (the resignation) but as a transparent and responsible state government there cannot even be a perception of a conflict of interest,” he told reporters after launching the 1,000 Youths Gathering programme here yesterday.

Rusli, 59, resigned from the post on June 25 following allegations by former PKR stalwart Ezam Mohd Nor that he was appointed as an adviser to KDEB because he was Anwar's brother.

Ezam said this went against Anwar's stand that there should not be nepotism in politics.

Rusli criticised Ezam on Saturday saying he was appointed as a special adviser to Karim based on his corporate experience and not because he was Anwar’s brother.

He had also claimed that both Anwar and Khalid were not aware of the appointment.

On the termination of the services of Universiti Industri Selangor (Unisel) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Razali Agus on Friday, Khalid said state secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud would explain today the rationale for the decision by the university’s board of directors.

Khalid, who is the chairman of the Unisel board of directors, said Prof Razali was not sacked.

“The board had merely decided not to extend his probationary contract, which will expire at the end of July,” he added.

Khalid said that Prof Razali had not appealed against the termination of his services yet.

“But he can discuss the matter with Ramli and put forward his name for the list of candidates to be considered for the vice-chancellor’s post.

Asked to comment on allegations that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had sodomised his aide, Khalid said the state PKR would stand by Anwar’s denial of any involvement.

He, however, refused to comment further saying there was no need to do so as Anwar himself had denied it.