#Nothing2Hide: Organiser blames PM's senior officer for event failure

Malaysian Volunteer Lawyers Association (SukaGuam) chairman Datuk Khairul Anwar Rahmat in a statement today said, because of that, the organisers were made scapegoats and had to endure insults from various parties.

"Truth is, we have sought the views of Datuk Seri Najib Razak's senior officers on many aspects pertaining to the event, including the possibility of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's attendance.

"Tun Mahathir had clarified that although he was not officially invited, his presence at the event was made possible due to several NGOs extending him the invitation.

"So, considering the possibility that Dr Mahathir might come, the organisers allocated a seat for him with his name on the chair," he explained.

However, Khairul Anwar claimed that one of Najib's senior officials, together with some associates who were responsible in jointly coordinating the event, had 'meddled more than they should'.

He claimed that due to a 'clash of egos', SukaGuam as well as other parties were made scapegoats and victims of the failed event.

"It seems that, some parties don't want to see the possible change in the political landscape should the meet between Najib and Dr Mahathir yesterday turn out to be a success.

"It seems that these parties are putting their personal agenda first before the country's, and that a continued rift between the two national leaders would gain them more," Khairul Anwar said.

He said, the speculation that the PM's image is being tarnished more by his own people rather than by outsiders, might not be too far from the truth.

Khairul Anwar further threatened to 'reveal more information and evidence' on the parties responsible should they continue to make a mess out of things.

Yesterday, the '#Nothing2Hide' dialogue between the PM and NGOs was cancelled at the eleventh hour by the police. Citing security reasons, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar announced the cancellation via his Twitter just minutes before the event was scheduled to start at 9am.

Meanwhile, Khairul Anwar opined, if the public dialogue was a failure, Najib and Dr Mahathir must still meet at some point to iron out their issues, even if it is done behind closed doors.