PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA - Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former private secretary, Anuar Shaari, agreed with Datuk K.S. Nallakaruppan that it was time for Anwar to reveal the "secret" why PKR vice-president Azmin Ali was special to him.

Anuar said when he was Anwar's private secretary between 1995 and 1998, he could see that Anwar's relationship with Azmin was more than an employer and an employee.

"Azmin used to sulk when scolded by Anwar. When he did not turn up for work, Anwar would become disturbed and could not concentrate," Anuar said.

Anuar was commenting on claims by one-time close ally of Anwar, Nallakaruppan, that there was a "secret" as to why Azmin was special to him.

Anuar said when Azmin was not around, Anwar would repeatedly ask why Azmin was absent and whether he had called.

"He had never noticed if other staff were sick or did not turn up. Only Anwar can explain why Azmin received such special attention," he said

Anuar said there could be truth to Nallakaruppan's claim that nobody would sacrifice for Anwar the way Azmin did.

"Other people did not give their heart and soul to Anwar. Azmin, however, will give it to the one he loves," he said.

Nallakaruppan had also questioned why Azmin was simply appointed as PKR's Sabah state liaison chief when there were several Sabah leaders better suited for the post.

He had also said that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, a former Cabinet minister, was more experienced.

It was earlier reportd that 18 leaders of the party's 23 active divisions in Sabah signed a memorandum voicing their protest over Azmin's appointment as the state chief.