Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali has denied ever being Kelantan Umno treasurer.
In an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider , Apandi said the only treasurer he has been is for the Bar Council.
"Now, Kelantan Umno treasurer? This, I must seek your help to tell the world that it is a falsehood.
"I was never, have never, ever been an Umno treasurer.
"I held the post of (Bar Council) treasurer. Twice," he told the news portal.
Apandi said he was an Umno member from 1982 till 1991, and the only position he held was Pengkalan Chepa division Youth chief.
He said he quit the party when he joined the Bar in 1991, and was active until 2001.
"The very building, now owned by Bar Council, was my idea when I was treasurer. It should be named Bangunan Apandi," he quipped.
The attorney-general said his short tenure in Umno, however, has made him a victim of wrong perception.
Apandi became attorney-general in late July, after his predecessor Abdul Gani Patail was suddenly removed from office.
He said he was offered the job by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak himself.
"It was surprising to me. I was in fact this year looking forward to my retirement – I'm due to retire next year – to going on holidays with my wife, and then suddenly this offer came in.
"My decision was based on, ‘I think the country needs me’. So when the offer was made, I took it.
“Somebody must do the job. I took it, for King and country, ” he said, adding that he has no regrets.
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