Police to quiz Anwar on sodomy claim this Monday

Police to quiz Anwar on sodomy claim this Monday

By Wan Hamidi Hamid

ALOR STAR, July 13 –

Monday is set to be a crucial day for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim - he faces the police over fresh sodomy accusations while his opposition pact attempts to move a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader confirmed last night the police want his statement about the sodomy complaint by former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan on Monday but declined to say if he would comply.

"I don't know how this will end. But we do not reject the possibility of me being detained. It seems that the political players are the same people," Anwar told the press after a ceramah at the Kedah Pas complex in Kota Sarang Semut near here.
"I just hope they will respect the rule of law," he said, alluding to the beating he received the night of his arrest on similar charges 10 years ago.

The usually jovial and ever-smiling Anwar looked tense and uncomfortable during the five-minute press conference, dismissing a question about another former aide Ezam Mohamed Nor threatening to divulge his secrets.

Anwar claims the fresh sodomy claims by 23-year-old university dropout Mohd Saiful late June is a politically-motivated attempt to stop him from being Prime Minister after his coalition won 82 seats, 30 short of forming the government.

His Pakatan Rakyat coalition of PKR, Pas and the Democratic Action Party have filed a motion of no-confidence against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership which will be decided on Monday. The Barisan Nasional's Sabah Progressive Party said its two lawmakers will break ranks and support the motion.

Anwar, who had claimed of threats against his life, also spoke about government's assurance for his personal safety, "There have been cases of individuals being bombed by C4 explosives, cases of disappearance and beatings. I don't preclude any possibility but I respect the assurances by the Prime Minister."

He also said that after the unfair and vicious treatment received in 1998, he felt more at peace, strong and confident to face the current problem.

"My only worry is that this case may derail our major agenda of improving the economy and improving the people's livelihood," he added.

There was also an expression of anger towards the end of his 30-minute ceramah when he spoke about the need to continue the opposition's Pakatan Rakyat agenda of fighting for the people.

Anwar was hinting the thousands of people who crowded the small village some 20km from the city centre here that he could be arrested by the police any time.

"I don't know what will happen to me next week. Maybe I have to go to court. Maybe they will put me in the lock up without any bail," he told the crowd.

He reminded his audience, mainly Pas supporters although there were pockets of PKR supporters that even if he would be in jail again, the opposition's agenda must prevail.

It was reported last week the police would call in more witnesses after recording statements from 18 witnesses in the case now classified as carnal intercourse against the order of nature.

It is understood that a court order can be obtained to compel any witness to give statement.

Sources said the police have given an initiak report to the public prosecutor.

kzso - we'll wait for the day.......