PM blamed for another 'sham trial'
Anwar Ibrahim today launched a scathing attack against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over his imminent sodomy charge.
Anwar Ibrahim today launched a scathing attack against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and held him responsible for his imminent sodomy charge.
This is the first time that the PKR leader has targeted Abdullah. In the past, his attacks were focused on Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Calling it a sham trial, he blamed the prime minister - whom he described as dealing with a crisis of confidence - for allegedly orchestrating the trial to protect himself.
"I have sufficient evidence to show that the decision (to charge) will not be done without the personal instruction from the prime minister," he claimed.
"This is a man under siege - and he sees no way out but to deflect the attention of the Malaysian people with a sham trial against me," he told a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya.
Also present were his wife, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the couple’s three daughters, his legal team led by Sulaiman Abdullah and other party leaders.
Anwar said the prime minister’s action was equivalent to "burning the forest to save his own tree."
"I hold the prime minister personally responsible for the damage that is about to be done to the nation and to the integrity and dignity of the Malays," he added.
He claimed that his sources in the Attorney-General’s Chambers told him that the office was against preferring any charge against him.
However, he said the police and Abdullah’s close associates were allegedly keen on pursuing with the trial.
"We are informed that some individuals within the prime minister's close circles are adamant about pursuing the case.
"Their involvement further undermines the credibility of the case and proves that the entire conspiracy hatched against me is politically motivated," he said.
The opposition stalwart has vowed to topple the Abdullah-led federal government by Sept 16 with the aid of some 30 Barisan Nasional parliamentarians defecting to the Anwar-led Pakatan Rakyat.
Anwar himself has announced his plan to contest in the Aug 26 Permatang Pauh by-election, after incumbent MP, Wan Azizah, resigned to pave the way for his return to Parliament.
"But now it is clear that his (Abdullah’s) vendetta against those who would seek his early dismissal from office knows no boundaries and will transgress all limits of the rule of law," said Anwar.
'See you in court tomorrow'
The opposition leader was served with a police notice earlier today to appear at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions’ Court tomorrow morning to be charged with the alleged sodomy of his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23.
He reiterated at the press conference that he will be charged "with a crime that I did not commit."
The opposition leader could be held under detention pending the court’s trial as sodomy is a non-bailable offence, but bail can be granted at the discretion of the court.
He was denied bail when he was charged for similar offences 10 years ago for fear that he might tamper with witnesses if freed.
Asked on this, Anwar said his plan to contest in the by-election will go on regardless of whether he will be granted bail or detained behind bars.
"I see no reason why they (the authorities) should deny me bail except that it’s a political ploy not to allow me to campaign (for the by-election)," he argued.
Asked whether he is concerned that his supporters may organise massive street demonstrations should he be detained, Anwar did not answer but said he should not be charged in the first place.
"I hope sanity will prevail and there is respect for rule of law. At this stage, there is no sanity and no respect for rule of law," he said.
Anwar’s dismissal from his deputy premier post and subsequent detention a decade ago had triggered numerous demonstrations, which saw tens of thousands of people taking to the streets to demand for his release.
Before ending his 35-minute press conference, Anwar smiled and told reporters, "See you in court tomorrow."
