Reactions: Do the right thing, authorities told
Published: Jul 28, 2008 11:22 AM | Updated: Jul 28, 2008 11:52 AM
The following are reactions to the latest development in the sodomy allegations against PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
It was revealed today that the doctor who performed a medical examination on Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the 23-year-old man who accused Anwar of sodomising him, had found no evidence of sodomy four hours before the police report was lodged.
The following are reactions to the latest development in the sodomy allegations against PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
It was revealed today that the doctor who performed a medical examination on Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the 23-year-old man who accused Anwar of sodomising him, had found no evidence of sodomy four hours before the police report was lodged.
Ambiga Sreenevasan, Bar Council chairperson
The latest disclosures regarding the investigations into the sodomy allegations are not the only ones to raise questions that need answering. There is, for example, also the issue of P Balasubramaniam's abrupt "disappearance" that has yet to be satisfactory explained. No one can deny that the circumstances of his first and second statuary declarations are highly unusual. All these show a pattern of events that cause much disquiet to right-thinking members of the public.
The Malaysian people are deeply troubled. A country that truly believes in the rule of law should not be faced with so many disturbing developments and unanswered questions.
The credibility of the Malaysian justice system as a whole is therefore at stake. The integrity of professionals, be they doctors or lawyers, must never be interfered with. The public must be left in no doubt that the criminal justice system in this country will not be misused or abused.
This calls for courage and professionalism of all those involved to do the right thing no matter the consequences. And those who have shown such courage and integrity must know that they live in a country where it is safe to do so.
Lim Kit Siang, DAP supremo and Ipoh Timor MP
These are very disturbing turn of developments in the latest sodomy allegation against Anwar and police investigations, and will subject Malaysia to a new and most adverse spate of international bashing unless police can come forward without a single second of delay to categorically throw light on the first medical report on Saiful and the whereabouts of Dr Mohamed Osman - especially in the light of the outrage and scandal of the disappearance of private investigator P Balasubramaniam in two conflicting statutory declaration (SDs) within 24 hours, shaking national and international confidence in institutional integrity to their very roots.
Salehuddin Hashim, PKR secretary-general
The medical report leaked today appears to confirm what we have always believed - that the allegations against Anwar are without merit and politically motivated. We are deeply troubled by the allegations conveyed by some reports that the police spent three days recording a statement from the doctor and that he and his family have gone into hiding. Every assurance must be given for his safety and protection.
The existence of this medical report further erodes any confidence the public would have in the credibility of the police report that has been filed against Anwar, a report which remains shrouded in secrecy. Why has this medical report surfaced only today, over one month after the allegations were made, after Anwar spent a night in jail, and after the police have spent so much time and money on this case?
There should be a complete disclosure of the "facts" of this case to the public. Anything less will further diminish the public's trust in the institutions of governance and in particular the integrity of the office of the inspector-general of police.
Sivarasa Rasiah, PKR vice-president and Anwar's lawyer
It is good news for us as it will vindicate that allegation of sodomy by Saiful have been fabricated and without any basis. It also reflects that the allegation is a part of a conspiracy by a couple of people.
There have been reports surfacing on the Net that the doctor had been questioned for three days. This raises a lot of concern if the police are trying to get the doctor to change his report. That would be a despicable act and also a crime.
The report was available a month ago, why didn't the authorities say anything on this issue. (Even when the investigation is ongoing) they have been pressing Anwar really hard for his DNA sample. If the report is saying the negative, why continue pressing?
The ministers have been pressing hard as well, like Syed Hamid Albar and a few others. While you have been talking a lot about the case, this information is not disclosed. It raises the question about the professionalism of the police force and the motive for this case.
Dr Lim Teck Ghee, former director of Centre for Policy Initiatives
This news report - and all the doubts and questions it raises - should not be concealed or kept out of public scrutiny by the mainstream media, the government authorities or other interested parties for their own selfish interest.
Given the high political leadership stakes as well as enormous national and international interest in the new sodomy charge against the country's most prominent opposition leader, Anwar - and indirectly against the newly formed opposition front Pakatan Rakyat - it is imperative that all Malaysians - in their individual and organisational capacities - should raise their voices to show their concern for the full, transparent, and fair disclosure of all the facts and developments in the case, and to demand that swift justice should prevail.
Further attempts at one-sided or politically biased and manipulative handling of the case will cause the nation even more grievous damage than what has already been inflicted.
Ezam Mohd Nor, Umno member and ex-PKR Youth chief
The report is not verified yet. We also don't know if it is true.
It was revealed today that the doctor who performed a medical examination on Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the 23-year-old man who accused Anwar of sodomising him, had found no evidence of sodomy four hours before the police report was lodged.
Ambiga Sreenevasan, Bar Council chairperson
The latest disclosures regarding the investigations into the sodomy allegations are not the only ones to raise questions that need answering. There is, for example, also the issue of P Balasubramaniam's abrupt "disappearance" that has yet to be satisfactory explained. No one can deny that the circumstances of his first and second statuary declarations are highly unusual. All these show a pattern of events that cause much disquiet to right-thinking members of the public.
The Malaysian people are deeply troubled. A country that truly believes in the rule of law should not be faced with so many disturbing developments and unanswered questions.The credibility of the Malaysian justice system as a whole is therefore at stake. The integrity of professionals, be they doctors or lawyers, must never be interfered with. The public must be left in no doubt that the criminal justice system in this country will not be misused or abused.
This calls for courage and professionalism of all those involved to do the right thing no matter the consequences. And those who have shown such courage and integrity must know that they live in a country where it is safe to do so.
Lim Kit Siang, DAP supremo and Ipoh Timor MP
These are very disturbing turn of developments in the latest sodomy allegation against Anwar and police investigations, and will subject Malaysia to a new and most adverse spate of international bashing unless police can come forward without a single second of delay to categorically throw light on the first medical report on Saiful and the whereabouts of Dr Mohamed Osman - especially in the light of the outrage and scandal of the disappearance of private investigator P Balasubramaniam in two conflicting statutory declaration (SDs) within 24 hours, shaking national and international confidence in institutional integrity to their very roots.
Salehuddin Hashim, PKR secretary-general
The medical report leaked today appears to confirm what we have always believed - that the allegations against Anwar are without merit and politically motivated. We are deeply troubled by the allegations conveyed by some reports that the police spent three days recording a statement from the doctor and that he and his family have gone into hiding. Every assurance must be given for his safety and protection.
The existence of this medical report further erodes any confidence the public would have in the credibility of the police report that has been filed against Anwar, a report which remains shrouded in secrecy. Why has this medical report surfaced only today, over one month after the allegations were made, after Anwar spent a night in jail, and after the police have spent so much time and money on this case?There should be a complete disclosure of the "facts" of this case to the public. Anything less will further diminish the public's trust in the institutions of governance and in particular the integrity of the office of the inspector-general of police.
Sivarasa Rasiah, PKR vice-president and Anwar's lawyer
It is good news for us as it will vindicate that allegation of sodomy by Saiful have been fabricated and without any basis. It also reflects that the allegation is a part of a conspiracy by a couple of people.
There have been reports surfacing on the Net that the doctor had been questioned for three days. This raises a lot of concern if the police are trying to get the doctor to change his report. That would be a despicable act and also a crime.
The report was available a month ago, why didn't the authorities say anything on this issue. (Even when the investigation is ongoing) they have been pressing Anwar really hard for his DNA sample. If the report is saying the negative, why continue pressing?
The ministers have been pressing hard as well, like Syed Hamid Albar and a few others. While you have been talking a lot about the case, this information is not disclosed. It raises the question about the professionalism of the police force and the motive for this case.
Dr Lim Teck Ghee, former director of Centre for Policy Initiatives
This news report - and all the doubts and questions it raises - should not be concealed or kept out of public scrutiny by the mainstream media, the government authorities or other interested parties for their own selfish interest.
Given the high political leadership stakes as well as enormous national and international interest in the new sodomy charge against the country's most prominent opposition leader, Anwar - and indirectly against the newly formed opposition front Pakatan Rakyat - it is imperative that all Malaysians - in their individual and organisational capacities - should raise their voices to show their concern for the full, transparent, and fair disclosure of all the facts and developments in the case, and to demand that swift justice should prevail.Further attempts at one-sided or politically biased and manipulative handling of the case will cause the nation even more grievous damage than what has already been inflicted.
Ezam Mohd Nor, Umno member and ex-PKR Youth chief
The report is not verified yet. We also don't know if it is true.
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