Goh is alleged to have signed the lobbying contract on behalf of Godfrey Group, which was purportedly used to pay US$250,000 (RM1.07 million) to a former campaign aide of President Donald Trump.
PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli earlier today issued a statement asking Shahrir and Nur Jazlan to explain their connection, if any, to Goh.
The Pandan MP referred to several photographs in magazines and a newspaper showing Shahrir or Nur Jazlan individually with Goh at a number of official functions.
Rafizi also referred to reports that described Goh as the president of an NGO, Care United Johor Bahru, and Shahrir as its adviser
Speaking to FMT, Nur Jazlan, who is Pulai MP and deputy home minister, said he only knew Goh as the chair of the charity NGO.
“Goh is the chair of a charity group in Johor Bahru. I am the MP for half of Johor Bahru,” he said.
“I have been joining their events for more than 10 years. (But) I don’t know what she does in her spare time.”
Shahrir, who is Johor Bahru MP, similarly told the Malay Mail Online that he had met Goh in her capacity as the NGO’s leader and denied knowledge of her alleged connection with Godfrey Group.
“I am not aware of her association, if any, with Godfrey Group and neither am I aware of Godfrey Group itself,” he was quoted as saying.
US news portal The Daily Beast previously reported that a company known as The 45 Group had received a cheque for RM1.07 million from Godfrey Group on May 9.
The declaration was required under the Foreign Agents Registration Act in which those involved in lobbying American public servants must disclose details to the US Department of Justice (DoJ).
The report noted that there were two issues that the Malaysian government needed resolving in the US: the charge that it engaged in unfair trade practices and Prime Minister Najib Razak being linked to the 1MDB scandal.
The 45 Group is headed by Healy Baumgardner-Nardone, who used to work for Trump’s election campaign. Although she quit the campaign towards the end, she reportedly maintains close ties to Trump’s inner circle.
On May 26, Putrajaya denied hiring The 45 Group to lobby the US government on its behalf.
“Contrary to recent media reports and a registration statement, neither the Prime Minister’s Office or the government of Malaysia has instructed, appointed or contracted in any form with the Godfrey Group Ltd, The 45 Group or Healy Baumgardner-Nardone,” it said in a statement issued by Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad, Najib’s press secretary.
Rafizi demands Umno duo explain their ties to Godfrey Group director