KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) handling of their alleged ties with Liberal International, which supports Israel in the conflict in Gaza, was considered a public relations disaster, Khairy Jamaluddin said.
Khairy, in his Keluar Sekejap podcast with former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan last night said that the issue could have been dealt with in a day if the party had admitted its relationship with the organisation.
However, he said, the issue worsened after PKR had denied their relations with Liberal International.
"The issue is why didn't PKR come clean about it?
"They had denied it, then said they were just an observing member and then said that they had told Liberal International to remove the party's logo on their website.
"This is an example of a PR disaster," Khairy said.
Meanwhile, Shahril said PKR should just own up to it, provide clarification and move on.
"Maybe by doing that, people will be mad.
"But at least it is not as bad as trying to cover it up."
On Nov 4, PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil made an official request to Liberal International to take down the party's name and logo from their website.
He said that he had contacted Liberal International to correct the matter as PKR was never a party to the organisation.
Fahmi had a day before dismissed claims made by irresponsible quarters linking the party with an Israeli organisation.
He stressed that the party remained strong in its support and solidarity to the people of Palestine.