RM77 million: ‘Malaysia is Apco’s top client’
SHAH ALAM: At RM77 million, Malaysia has become global public relations company Apco Worldwide’s highest paying client! This is according to Indera Mahkota MP Azan Ismail who said a former US ambassador to Malaysia had revealed this to him.
“I was informed by a former US ambassador that from among Apco’s 50 branches in the world, not even one has received RM77 million in billings.
“The highest a client has paid is between US$2 million (RM6.3 million) and US$7 million only.
“This disclosure has raised several worrying questions,” he said.
Apco was appointed by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on July 15, 2009, to rebuild Malaysia’s image here and abroad through its 1Malaysia concept.
But after a year of the concept being introduced and millions spent, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has admitted that the campaign had failed to achieve its targets and the public still had not grasped the full meaning of the concept of 1Malaysia.
Yet despite the “failure” of the concept, the Barisan Nasional government has renewed its contract with Apco Worlwide, maintaining it as its international consultants.
“The government must terminate Apco. Reneweing Apco’s contract amidst controversy simply means there is is a hidden agenda.
“Even (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad has admitted that the 1Malaysia concept was weak, yet the government has gone ahead and renewed the deal. There appears to be another hidden aim.
“We are concerned that the RM77 million is being used for other purposes,” he said.
Najib-Muhyiddin rift
Azan also voiced his concern over Muhyddin’s comment that the campaign had failed to tickle public understanding of the spirit.
“My first question is, why is it difficult for the people to understand the 1Malaysia concept?
“Thus far, what is obvious is that this 1Malaysia campaign introduced by the Jews has had negative effects... for a start, our top two leaders (Najib and Muhyiddin) are not united in their acceptance of the 1Malaysia concept.
“We have spent tens of millions for the campaign... but all it has done is left us confused. If Muhyddin is confused, what more the people?” he asked.
Azan said the statements by Mahathir and Muhyiddin on Aug 3 about the weakness of the 1Malaysia campaign is a painful slap for Najib.
An opportunistic Muhyiddin, who was acting prime minister at the time, had further derided Najib’s 1Malaysia concept, underscoring the widening rift between the nation’s top two leaders.
“Muhyiddin's comments seem to have been made delibrately, aimed at discrediting the concept mooted and championed by the prime minister. It’s as if other elements are in play,” he said.
Azan said while the campaign had failed to kindle unity among Malaysians, it had, however, given birth to extremist groups such as Perkasa (Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia), which was an Umno proxy.
“Perkasa is the government’s biggest liability. It has also eroded unity in the country. This in essence contradicts Najib’s 1Malaysia philosophy.
“It’s obvious that 1Malaysia is only a slogan and its implementation far from its aims, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Before, we criticised Islam Hadhari, but at least we understood what it was. But 1Malaysia is like a new religion which is being introduced to us… an idol to be worshipped,” Azan added.
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