Malay rights NGO Perkasa wants PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to clarify if he is indeed the man listed as a Freemason office-bearer.
According to Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali (left) , a fax sent to him about a week ago indicates that a man with the same name is a member of the one-time secret fraternity.
"The Freemasons are associated with the Zionists. I'm not accusing Anwar of this... but am merely seeking an explanation from him.
"If this is another Anwar Ibrahim, then, Alhamdulillah (thank God)," he said.
Nevertheless, the Pasir Mas MP said that a Freemason membership would be consistent with the PKR leader’s recent statements on Israel and the LGBT community.
“Anwar is a man of many faces... And despite the many charges against him, he just pretends like nothing’s the matter and refuses to respond.
“In Malay tradition, if someone is accused of something and evidence is shown, and he does not respond, then he is assumed to be guilty,” he said.
The fax, copies of which were distributed to media, cites a website naming one ‘Anwar Ibrahim’ as a junior deacon in 2004 to 2005 of the Civil Lodge number 48, which Ibrahim said is in Vancouver, Canada.
“I understand Anwar always goes to Vancouver and Los Angeles when he goes to North America,” he claimed.
‘Anwar Ibrahim’ is named as the director of ceremonies for the same lodge from 2009 to 2010, but the website listed on the fax is not accessible.
However, Malaysiakini 's search found that ‘Anwar Ibrahim’ is listed on another website as the worshipful master of the same lodge for 2012 to 2013.
According to the Ottawa Masonic Portal, Civil Lodge number 48 is located in Ottawa, and not in Vancouver.
“The Freemasons are a circle of influential people (who are) anti-religion, and dangerous to Islam.
“Their members succeed in their respective fields because they help each other out, but of course they have their objectives,” Ibrahim said.
He added that he knows of several “prominent Malaysians” who are Freemason members, but declined to name them as it is “a personal matter” and he had no evidence to back his claim.
A pot-bellied Arab man?
Malaysiakini has contacted Anwar for comment and is awaiting a reply.
Najwan Halimi, a political aide to Anwar, said that the matter was first brought up by pro-Umno bloggers in 2008 and that it is a case of mistaken identity.
"The Anwar Ibrahim listed is a pot-bellied Arab man," he said.
According to the BBC, the Freemasons which was founded in the 17th century boasts millions of members in many countries, and is focused on male-bonding and charity work.
Once shrouded in mystery, the Freemasons are now said to be attempting to become more open and transparent, following centuries of conspiracy theories.
