PKR supporters come out in force
Joseph SipalanPublished: May 16, 2011 1:26 PM | Updated: May 16, 2011 7:53 PM
Supporters of embattled PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim flooded the main entrance of the Duta Court Complex today, where the High Court ruled that he would have to enter his defence against his second sodomy charge.
Supporters of embattled PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim flooded the main entrance of the Duta Court Complex today, where the High Court ruled that he would have to enter his defence against his second sodomy charge.
At least 200 people, many of whom were PKR members, assembled as early as 7am at the complex, staging sporadic protests against BN and its agents while chanting slogans in support of Anwar.
The situation was largely peaceful, overseen by over 50 uniformed police officers stationed at the complex’s main entrance and main gate.
The organisers of the gathering launched an early protest gimmick, handing out 200 packets of nasi lemak wrapped in pages of Utusan Malaysia as a sign of protest over claims the Malay daily is an Umno tool.
They then proceeded to start several rounds of chants, filling the normally quiet halls of the court complex with shouts of “Reformasi” and “Bebas Anwar”.
There were however several commotions sparked by overly emotional supporters, the first happening at the complex entrance where police formed a human wall to deny Anwar’s supporters, and for a while even media workers, from entering the building.
A couple of emotional AMK members pushed their way to confront the officers, demanding that it is the people’s right to go in and out of the complex and that the police have no business blocking the way.
The situation however fizzled out after the pair were pulled away by fellow party members, who coaxed the crowd into another round of chants.
Unruly supporters
Police were also seen arresting an individual at the complex’s front gate. It is unknown what the man was detained for, though an officer was seen packing a long pole - believed to be bearing a flag - into a patrol car before the individual was whisked away.
Another melee started as media workers assembled at one of the two doors at the complex’s main entrance, as Anwar supporters saw a journalist holding up TV3 and RTM microphones.
Amidst shouts of “TV tiga-suku balik”, some supporters pushed their way up to the journalist and attempted to accost him.
Journalists standing there ended up being pressed between police officers denying them entry into the complex and unruly supporters demanding that TV3 and RTM journalists leave.
Things simmered down for a while after journalists and a few supporters called for calm, but did not last long as supporters surged forward to catch a glimpse of Anwar as he exited the complex after the decision was read out.
Anwar’s own security detail was barely able to carve some space to allow Anwar and his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, to move towards their waiting car.
Despite the crush of people, Anwar still managed to say a few words to the media, stating that they will do all they can to expose the government’s alleged abuse of the judiciary in making such a biased judgment against him.
‘No justice in court’
Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng, when met outside the court complex, said the decision against Anwar clearly shows the government is abusing all avenues possible to take the former deputy prime minister down.
“I have never heard a judgment before that is so completely biased towards the prosecution. Nothing in the prosecution’s case can be discredited. It’s all perfect.
“What we can deduce is that this is no longer about justice or law, this is about politics and following orders.
“Now we have to go to the courts of the people, the court of politics and we must go with greater intensity... We have given up on the courts,” he said.
PKR Wanita chief and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin (left) said though they were hoping for a “miracle”, they had already predicted the outcome.
“With this sort of judgment, the people will rise even more as it shows how corrupted and how much judges are the tools of the government.
“I dare (Prime Minister) Najib (Razak) to call for a general election in July... Let’s see what happens,” she challenged.
A supporter, Daniel Chong, said he is disappointed with the outcome as it only reinforced his belief that the judiciary is compromised.
“The judiciary in Malaysia is totally biased in its judgment, and its independence is doubtful. There is no separation of power in the three branches of governance.
“The judiciary is simply following the tune of the ruling party... We want a total overhaul of the system, hopefully after the next GE,” he said.
Judge orders Anwar to enter defence
'Saiful a credible, truthful witness'
Defence team to interview PM, wife
Anwar: Judge has pre-judged me
PHOTO GALLERY
At least 200 people, many of whom were PKR members, assembled as early as 7am at the complex, staging sporadic protests against BN and its agents while chanting slogans in support of Anwar.
The situation was largely peaceful, overseen by over 50 uniformed police officers stationed at the complex’s main entrance and main gate.The organisers of the gathering launched an early protest gimmick, handing out 200 packets of nasi lemak wrapped in pages of Utusan Malaysia as a sign of protest over claims the Malay daily is an Umno tool.
They then proceeded to start several rounds of chants, filling the normally quiet halls of the court complex with shouts of “Reformasi” and “Bebas Anwar”.There were however several commotions sparked by overly emotional supporters, the first happening at the complex entrance where police formed a human wall to deny Anwar’s supporters, and for a while even media workers, from entering the building.
A couple of emotional AMK members pushed their way to confront the officers, demanding that it is the people’s right to go in and out of the complex and that the police have no business blocking the way.
The situation however fizzled out after the pair were pulled away by fellow party members, who coaxed the crowd into another round of chants.
Unruly supporters
Police were also seen arresting an individual at the complex’s front gate. It is unknown what the man was detained for, though an officer was seen packing a long pole - believed to be bearing a flag - into a patrol car before the individual was whisked away.
Another melee started as media workers assembled at one of the two doors at the complex’s main entrance, as Anwar supporters saw a journalist holding up TV3 and RTM microphones.Amidst shouts of “TV tiga-suku balik”, some supporters pushed their way up to the journalist and attempted to accost him.
Journalists standing there ended up being pressed between police officers denying them entry into the complex and unruly supporters demanding that TV3 and RTM journalists leave.
Things simmered down for a while after journalists and a few supporters called for calm, but did not last long as supporters surged forward to catch a glimpse of Anwar as he exited the complex after the decision was read out.Anwar’s own security detail was barely able to carve some space to allow Anwar and his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, to move towards their waiting car.
Despite the crush of people, Anwar still managed to say a few words to the media, stating that they will do all they can to expose the government’s alleged abuse of the judiciary in making such a biased judgment against him.
‘No justice in court’
Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng, when met outside the court complex, said the decision against Anwar clearly shows the government is abusing all avenues possible to take the former deputy prime minister down.
“I have never heard a judgment before that is so completely biased towards the prosecution. Nothing in the prosecution’s case can be discredited. It’s all perfect.“What we can deduce is that this is no longer about justice or law, this is about politics and following orders.
“Now we have to go to the courts of the people, the court of politics and we must go with greater intensity... We have given up on the courts,” he said.
PKR Wanita chief and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin (left) said though they were hoping for a “miracle”, they had already predicted the outcome.“With this sort of judgment, the people will rise even more as it shows how corrupted and how much judges are the tools of the government.
“I dare (Prime Minister) Najib (Razak) to call for a general election in July... Let’s see what happens,” she challenged.
A supporter, Daniel Chong, said he is disappointed with the outcome as it only reinforced his belief that the judiciary is compromised.
“The judiciary in Malaysia is totally biased in its judgment, and its independence is doubtful. There is no separation of power in the three branches of governance.
“The judiciary is simply following the tune of the ruling party... We want a total overhaul of the system, hopefully after the next GE,” he said.
Judge orders Anwar to enter defence
'Saiful a credible, truthful witness'
Defence team to interview PM, wife
Anwar: Judge has pre-judged me
PHOTO GALLERY
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