PKR denies bribing Ramlang
Parti Keadilan Rakyat has denied that they offered any monetary rewards to imam Ramlang Porigi for his frank testimony this morning.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat has denied that they offered any monetary rewards to imam Ramlang Porigi for his frank testimony this morning.
He has been very earnest and impromptu. And as an imam, he has to tell the truth," said Azmin Ali at Yayasan Aman, PKR's by-election headquarters in Permatang Pauh.
Azmin was responding to questions after Ramlang who witnessed Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan swearing on the Quran in FT Mosque that Anwar Ibrahim had sodomised him raised doubts on the swearing.
At a mosque and then at two ceramahs before a press conference at the PKR's HQ in Permatang Pauh, Ramlang revealed that there were inconsistencies in the swearing.
Ramlang also revealed that he was only instructed to witness the ceremony by his superiors.
Azmin said that PKR leaders were only told at the last minute that Ramlang would be casting his doubts on the swearing ceremony.
"We were informed and contacted only today," said Azmin.
"The first occasion where he explained what happened on Aug 15 was at the mosque at Bandar Perda, in the presence of PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat after magrib prayers (today)," he added.
On why Ramlang has come forward now, Azmin said the imam had to do his duty.
"It is a political conspiracy by Umno to use religion to save themselves. And he has to explain the matter to protect the role of the mosques and the institution.
"And I hope that the Malay community in Permatang Pauh will understand what took place at the swearing.
Keeping him safe
But Azmin rejected the argument that the latest development nullified Saiful's swearing.
"This also means that people cannot go around swearing when there are proper avenues, whether it is civil or Syariah courts, to address these things," said Azmin.
On the issue of safety for Ramlang, Azmin said that PKR will try their best to protect the imam.
"We have to keep him safe as there are too many cases in the past. Look at what has happened to (private investigator) Bala and the doctor from Pusrawi," said Azmin.
"He has asked that his and his family's safety is guaranteed and we will try our best.
Although, it is too early to tell but Azmin believed that the latest development augurs well for them and Anwar's bid to return to Parliament after Tuesday.
