Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has agreed to organise a debate
between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim
and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin. Tarani Palani
|
March 22, 2012 VIA
Anwar Ibrahim acquitted Sodomy II
Malaysian court acquitted Anwar of sodomy charges on Monday January 9, 2012, a surprise
ruling that could accelerate the political comeback of one of Asia's
most celebrated reformers ahead of an expected election this year.
Read from The Star
Excerpts from The Malaysian Insider - Side Views
If Anwar is not an electoral threat to Umno, he would not have been prosecuted.
So why has there been so much governmental hostility against Anwar?
Because he has been perceived by Umno as their greatest political
adversary, and the only person who could be a potential prime minister. In Sodomy 2, the politics of sleaze against Anwar reached a nadir,
giving gutter politics a new meaning. On a comparative basis, few
political leaders across the globe had been the victim of dirty state
politics like Anwar.
In the four senior Commonwealth countries whose common law system
Malaysia adopts, viz, England, India, Australia and Canada, no right
thinking person (and certainly no lawyer) would question a judge’s
independence if a similar acquittal had taken place in like
circumstances. But not in Malaysia!
If it is not the judge’s decision to acquit Anwar, it must follow that
it was a political decision. Certainly two decisions indicate prior
knowledge of government of the acquittal. First, it overturned its
decision to prohibit the assembly of Anwar supporters in Kuala Lumpur,
and agreed to allow them to congregate outside the court — even the
police agree that there would be no risk when the crowd receives good
news! Secondly, the government issued a press announcement within an
hour of the court’s decision, welcoming the acquittal. Our bureaucracy
never works at that speed.
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January 04, 2012
— Many Malaysians have expressed outrage at fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin’s critical remarks against DSAI (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim)in recent interviews with Umno dailies Utusan Malaysia and New Straits Times. News portals and blogs are filled with comments of readers who have taken umbrage at this development at a most inopportune time, just before the next GE (General Election). Haris Ibrahim has resigned as MCLM(Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement.) President while Malik Imtiaz and Sreekant Pillai have disassociated themselves from MCLM because of his statements. Where will MCLM go from here? VIA
In a nutshell, what Raja Petra spoke about can be summarised in his own words: “I can support the Opposition, without supporting Anwar"
Sulaiman Abdullah, the lead counsel for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has discharged himself from representing the PKR leader in his sodomy trial on medical grounds.
(Sulaiman is warded at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for tests.)
However, Sulaiman is not the only counsel, Anwar has eight other lawyers who have been appearing before me since Day One, High Court Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah said. He denied anwar time to appoint a new lead counsel, saying he had had eight other lawyers present in court from the beginning on 15th July,2009. On July 16th Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has succeeded in his bid to get certain documents from the prosecution to prepare for his sodomy trial. The prosecution was ordered to comply within a week which is to assist Anwar prepare a proper defence. The judge ordered the prosecution to supply Anwar’s lawyer with a copy of CCTV recordings taken from the guardhouse and lifts of the Desa Damansara Condominium for three days from June 25 last year. High Court Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah also ordered the prosecution to supply to Anwar’s lawyer a copy of its witness list and all documents to be tendered in court as evidence. The prosecution must hand over a statement of facts which was favourable to Anwar, if available. This includes the chemist notes on the analysis of certain samples and medical notes from Kuala Lumpur Hospital doctors who had examined Saifuln, copies of photographs and medical reports from Pusrawi Hospital on the examination of Saiful and copies of six witness statements, including Saiful’s, be supplied to the defence.
The High court concluded there is nothing which can suggest that giving a copy of the witness statements would prejudice the prosecution’s case or disturb public interest. However, Anwar team has to go through the due process (of the stay order appeal) on 17th July by the prosecution team lead by Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden. The mention of the sodomy trial and an application by Anwar to strike out the charge was set on July 24.
Anwar sodomy trial delayed to July 15
The much awaited high profile sodomy trial of PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was again delayed July 15 because his lead counsel Sulaiman Abdullah had to extend his medical leave. The trial proper was originally scheduled to begin on July 1, but it was rescheduled to hear Anwar’s application for the documents on that day. The trial was again delayed to July 3 when the Court of Appeal heard Anwar’s appeal against the transfer of the trial from the Sessions Court to the High Court. On July 3, Sulaiman applied for an adjournment to seek medical treatment.
Justice Mohamad Zabidin then fixed July 8 to hear the matter, and to hear his application to strike out his sodomy charge, and if necessary, to hear the trial proper. Speaking to reporters later Wednesday, Sankara said Anwar would also file an application this week to disqualify the entire prosecution team on the grounds that they had “received instructions” from Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, on the grounds that his prosecution was mala fide (of bad faith) and part of a political conspiracy. The High Court set July 15 to hear the Opposition leader’s application to obtain certain documents to prepare for his defence, and the same day to hear his application to strike out the charge. VIA
Anwar sodomy trial transferred to High Court The Sessions Court here has transferred Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial to the High Court with immediate effect on Tuesday March 10, 2009.
Anwar’s trial will now be heard by High Court Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, who has set hearing for July 1 to 24 this year. Sessions Court Judge Rozana Ali Yusoff authorised the transfer despite objections from Anwar’s lawyers, who claimed that it would be more appropriate for Sessions Court judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah( who was however on leave Tuesday March 10, 2009 ) who has been hearing the case, to approve the transfer. Rozana said that her court had the authority to move the case, and that there was no prejudice on her part in doing so.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says that the former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is welcome to join PKR. Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim who was sacked by Umno Tuesday December 2, 2008 said his only regret after spending 23 years in Umno was that all his good intentions had been misunderstood by his colleagues, especially on the issue of reform so that Umno would once again be a more inclusive and progressive party and in its approach in helping the Malays. Anwar told reporters December 3, 2008 that Datuk Zaid is seen as steadfast defending human rights and committed to his principle against the draconian law. Anwar also described Umno’s move to sack Zaid for attending the PKR functions as intolerant and harsh. Umno sacked Zaid on Tuesday for attending events organised by several opposition parties.
| Monday December 1, 2008-Anwar said the plans that Pakatan Rakyat would form the Federal Government were still on track, adding that he believed in the power of prayer and the wisdom of the people. Saying it would occur in “the shortest possible time,” the PKR adviser said it was not a question of “when” but that it involved the people. Thursday November 20, 2008 The High Court on Thursday set Feb 5 and 6 to review Sessions Court judge Komathy Suppiah decision to hear Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial at her court. The defence objected to the transfer of the case from the Sessions Court, where Anwar was charged, to the High Court., saying it was unnecessary and complained that the transfer certificate had been signed by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who was to get involved in the case. Friday November 14, 2008 The prosecution filed an application at the KL High Court on Tuesday to revise judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah’s decision that the trial would stay in her Sessions Court. Mohd Yusof said that the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 had provisions for proceedings in the subordinate courts to be stayed once the High Court had called for the case records to be brought before it. High Court Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah has set Nov 20 and 21 to hear the application for the revision. |
Friday November 7, 2008-The Sessions Court, Judge S.M. Komathy ruled that the certificate signed by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to transfer Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case to the High Court is invalid. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave his promise after Anwar lodged a police report alleging that the A-G and the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan were allegedly involved in fabricating evidence during investigations into the “black eye” incident in 1998. That the Prime Minister word is absolute and also it is evident that any involvement by the A-G in this case would seriously undermine public confidence in the administration of criminal justice.
Updated: Friday October 31, 2008-The transfer to the High Court was postponed once again until October 7 while the court considers the case and applicable law. Anwar had on Aug 7 claimed trial to sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan at the Desa Damansara Condominium in Bukit Damansara on June 26. He is opposing the prosecution’s (Senior DPP Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden) attempt to transfer his case to the High Court by challenging the validity of the certificate to transfer signed by the AG. Anwar’s lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah Sulaiman argued that Abdul Gani was disqualified and the certificate he signed was not valid as earlier submitted that the Prime Minister had given his assurance that Abdul Gani and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, who were implicated in Anwar’s trials 10 years ago, would not be involved this time around. Judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah established that it is reasonable to believe the Prime Minister would have consulted the AG (the AG was the legal adviser to the Prime Minister) before making the statement. Mohd Yusof says the Prime Minister is not legally competent to make a statement which would give rise to such an expectation. In another words Mohd Yusof implied that the Prime Minister assurance is not legally binding. Sulaiman said that Mohd Yusof’s arguments does not make sense and see no logical explanation as to why the case should be transferred.
14 Oct 2008 Malaysia's Anwar says plan to topple government put on hold.
Friday October 10, 2008-Judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah in Sessions Court admits Anwar’s affidavit and reversed her gag order decision made on Wednesday based on a preceding case. The gag order prohibiting the press from publishing details on Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s alleged involvement in several cases concerning Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim 10 years ago. Details of the alleged abused were contained in Anwar’s police report, statements of claim filed by former investigating officers in the case, Asst Comm of Police Mat Zain Ibrahim (now Datuk), and then SAC 1 Datuk Musa Hassan (now Tan Sri), who both sued Anwar for defamation. In his police report, Anwar claimed that former attorney-general Tan Sri Mokhtar Abdullah and Abdul Gani had “wilfully misled the public” and concealed details of Anwar’s black-eye assault from the public until the injuries were revealed in court.He also alleged that Abdul Gani had fabricated and suppressed the evidence during his previous trials. Anwar’s counsel Sulaiman had argued that these details were important to the case as Abdul Gani would be the person to sign the transfer certificate for the case to be transferred to the High Court. Komathy will hear submissions from both parties before deciding whether the sodomy case will be transferred to the High Court on Oct 31 to accommodate Anwar, who will attend Parliament as Opposition leader when the House sits on Monday. Speaking to reporters at the Jalan Duta court complex where his sodomy case was being heard, Anwar said Najib was still in a “state of denial”, adding: “He is the only Finance Minister in the world who believes that the fundamentals of this country is still strong.” He argued that Najib had never raised issues of reform for a free media, democratic process, pointing out also that he had not given any clue about how he planned to manage the country’s economy. Source: The Star
Recap: In 1998, Anwar was tried in the High Court before Justice S. Augusti-ne Paul on four of five charges of corruption under the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 22, 1970.He was also accused of five counts of sodomy. He was found guilty on four counts of corruption and sentenced to six years’ jail by the High Court.
In 2004, the Federal Court overturned his sodomy conviction.
Thursday October 9, 2008 - The High Court senior assistant registrar Haslina Basaruddin addressed to senior Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden in a letter the high court judge, Justice Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah is of the view that the learned Sessions Court judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah should be given the chance to hear and decide on the merits of preliminary objection of the defence before a revision should be made. On Tuesday, the prosecution had produced a certificate issued by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to transfer Anwar’s case to the High Court without any argument, but it was rejected by Justice Komathy. The Permatang Pauh MP, Anwar, had on Aug 7 claimed trial to sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan on June 26. VIA
08 October 2008 Mr Anwar, who was speaking after a court appearance on Tuesday, said that the leadership change in the ruling party UMNO will have no bearing on his plan to take over the government. Mr Anwar said: "It's nothing personal against Abdullah or against Najib, (but) leaders must be credible. We are talking about a system tainted by corruption, condoning criminality. I don't believe that under Datuk Najib, we will be able to garner more support, credibility, manage the economy and rid the country of corruption." VIA
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday 07 October 2008 he still has enough support to topple the government and is deliberating over how to carry out his delayed plan to seize power. Anwar said he is pleased by the general enthusiasm expressed by Malaysians who want to see change and rid this country of racism and corruption.
An official from Anwar's Keadilan party said the strategies included seeking an audience with Malaysia's king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, to claim a mandate to rule. Parliament resumes next Monday and the defecting lawmakers could physically cross the floor to show a change in allegiance. And although the premier can under the constitution block any attempt to mount a vote of no confidence, opposition lawmakers can propose an ordinary motion criticising Abdullah, the official said. VIATuesday October 7, 2008
Anwar is battling a sodomy charge which he says is politically motivated. He has been accused of sodomising a 23-year-old former aide – the same charge that saw him jailed a decade ago after he was sacked as deputy prime minister. The opposition leader had a small victory in court on Tuesday when a judge fended off a government attempt to move the case to the High Court. Judge S.M.Komathy Suppiah rejected the preliminary objection by the prosecution which contended that it was mandatory for the Sessions Court, under Section 418A (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, to transfer the case to the High Court once the transfer certificate had been issued by the prosecution. Anwar is free on a personal bond of RM20,000 without surety. VIA
Wednesday September 24, 2008 Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told reporters at the Jalan Duta court complex that it is not an issue of deadlines anymore. "Who could have anticipated that the Prime Minister would refuse to hold an emergency Parliament session when we already have the numbers." He claimed this was the first time in the history of a democratic country that a Prime Minister has refused to see an opposition leader. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will know on Oct 7 if his sodomy case at the Sessions Court will be transferred to the High Court. Lead prosecutor Senior DPP Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden want the case to be trailed at the High Court upon the tendering of a transfer certificate signed by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail. The defence had also objected to the certificate on grounds that it was signed by Gani when a police report had been lodged by Anwar against the A-G for his black-eye incident 10 years ago and the matter was currently being investigated. Lead counsel Sulaiman Abdullah argued that the A-G had signed the certificate by going over the facts of the case when he had been disqualified.(The Prime Minister had in clear terms said that Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail would not be involved in the case)VIA
"The prosecution is trying very hard to transfer the case to the High Court so it will be heard by a judge decided by them," Anwar said. Anwar dismissed the premier's claims that he was merely bluffing about the defectors, whose names he has refused to release. Anwar challenges to have a vote taken
if they think he is a liar, put it to the test. Parliament resumes on October 13 after a break for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. "It will take a lot of patience, a lot of resolve, to try and unravel this complex web controlled by a few cronies," he said. VIA
19 September 2008 Malaysia's Prime Minister Adbullah Badawi says there is no reason to recall parliament early from its recess to a demand by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for a recall to hold a no-confidence vote against the prime minister. Mr Anwar gave Mr Abdullah till September 23 to call for an emergency parliamentary session, failing which he would discuss with Pakatan Rakyat leaders on the next course of action. Before resorting to seeking audience with the King, Anwar wanted to exhaust all the legal and constitutional avenues first. Mr Anwar said it must be realised this is now the minority government, the majority MPs are with Pakatan Rakyat. Mr Abdullah has said that he sees no need to meet Mr Anwar and challenged him to make public the list of government MPs that had switched sides. The Prime Minister also dismissed fears he might use the ISA on Mr Anwar, after he warned on Wednesday that the government will not hesitate taking action against the opposition leader if he becomes a threat to the country's stability. VIA
15 September 2008 Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday he has enough support to topple the government and wants to meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss a handover. "We have the numbers to defeat BN," the opposition leader told a rally of some 10,000 supporters who erupted in wild cheers. "Tomorrow is D-Day, we are ready to form the government." "We want Abdullah to assure us there will be no repressive force used, like involving the police or inviting the military to take control," he told AFP. VIA
Anwar Ibrahim: Malaysia Day Celebration (Part 1)
Anwar Ibrahim told a 20,000-strong rally that he had the numbers to form a new government tomorrow and wants to meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss a handover.
Anwar Ibrahim: Malaysia Day Celebration (Part 2)
| Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin was sent to the Kamunting detention camp late on 22nd Sept.Monday night after the Home Minister signed a two-year detention order under the Internal Security Act (ISA) Sunday September 21, 2008 The Bar Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act 1960. The resolution also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees including Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin and the five Hindu Rights Action Force leaders. The council also called for all other laws which allowed for detention of persons without trial such as the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969 and the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985. The Government, the resolution stated, should uphold its pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to promote a free media, including in cyberspace; and to uphold the rule of law. Saturday September 20, 2008 Police released Seputeh MP Teresa Kok from the Internal Security Act (ISA) detention as they were satisfied she was not a threat to public order. Kok, 44, who is also Kinrara assemblyman was released at 1pm yesterday after being detained for one week. 20 Sep 2008 Malaysia n blogger Syed Azidi Syed Aziz, who is better known as Sheih Kickdefella, was released from custody on police bail on Saturday. Malaysia n authorities had arrested him on Wednesday, for displaying an upside down national flag on his website. He had also urged other Internet writers to do the same to show their displeasure with the country's political and economic problems. Saturday September 20, 2008 The High Court here fixed next Friday to hear the habeas corpus application by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin who is seeking his release from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Source: The Star |
14 September 2008 Malaysia's Anwar plans mass rally over govt crackdown expecting some 30,000 supporters to gather for the rally at a suburban stadium on Monday night to call for the release of the two still detained, after the journalist was freed Saturday( Tan Hoon Cheng from the Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily News who had reported on an outburst from a ruling party member who called ethnic Chinese "squatters".). Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar's Keadilan party said the gathering at Kelana Jaya stadium is to express our solidarity for the two people held under the draconian security law and to demand their freedom. Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's party Sunday announced a mass rally against a government crackdown with series of arrests under tough internal security laws. which he says is aimed at preventing him from seizing power within days. Anwar said on the weekend that he has enough support to pull off a parliamentary coup which priority is political stability and an issue of deferring. He was "mindful" that he too could be targeted with arrest. The arrests on Friday of an opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a journalist raised fears of a widespread campaign against dissent. The three arrested have been accused of inciting ethnic tensions in the multicultural country, but Anwar accused the government of stirring up a phony racial crisis in order to deflect attention from its own problems. Anwar said the ruling coalition has chosen to burn the country to save itself and to maintain its odious grip on power instead of pursuing a reform agenda. Rights groups have condemned the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for indefinite detention without trial, and the United States summoned Malaysia's top envoy in Washington in protest over the arrests. Opposition lawmaker Teresa Kok, from the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party which is a member of the opposition alliance, was arrested over allegations she complained about the noise of morning prayers at a mosque. The other detainee is Malaysia's leading blogger, 58-year-old Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has repeatedly targeted government figures on his website "Malaysia Today" and has already been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman. Three Malaysian newspapers -- Tan's Sin Chew Daily News, The Sun, a free English-language daily, and Suara Keadilan, which is published by the opposition -- were also Friday threatened with suspension. VIA |
Sunday September 14, 2008 US summons Malaysian envoy WASHINGTON: The United States summoned Malaysia’s top envoy in Washington on Friday to protest its crackdown on dissent at a time when the Opposition was attempting to take over power in Kuala Lumpur. This is the second time Ilango Karuppannan, the charge d’affaires of the Malaysian embassy, was summoned to the State Department in a month when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was charged with sodomy. “Peaceful expression of political opinions is a fundamental right and critical to a democracy,” a State Department official said. The last time he was hauled up was when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was charged with sodomy. VIA Sunday September 14, 2008 Wrong use of ISA: De facto law minister The Internal Security Act (ISA) should not be used against civilians, de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said. The Act should only be used against terrorists or those trying to topple the Government by force, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said at a press conference at his home here on Sunday. He was commenting on the arrests of three people -- Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng -- under the ISA. VIA |
Wednesday September 10, 2008-Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case on Wednesday has been postponed to Sept 24 to transferring to the High Court. The prosecution had applied for the case to be transferred to the high court on the basis of needing more time to prepare arguments. Anwar's lawyers objected to the transfer. VIA
Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid, the doctor who first examined Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan for alleged sodomy, has confirmed that the Statutory Declaration (SD) he made on Aug 1 was genuine.The medical report from Hospital Pusrawi, signed by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid at 2.14pm on June 28, ruled out that Mohd Saiful was sodomised.
Wednesday September 10, 200-Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s targeted date of Sept 16 to capture the Government may not be achieved, he said during his speech after a solat tawarikh and hajat ceremony at his home here last night. He further claims the Pakatan Rakyat(component parties PKR, PAS and DAP) definitely have the sufficient numbers (of MPs) but they would have to wait first as they are currently ‘enjoying Ramadan’ in Taiwan. Meanwhile, DAP adviser and Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang has slammed the Barisan MPs’ “last minute” trip to Taiwan. “This is all because of the ‘916 obsession’ by the Umno and Barisan leadership. It is to foil Anwar’s ‘916’ plan,” he said. Source: staronline
Anwar Ibrahim is the former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and is currently the de facto leader of Keadilan, the People’s Justice Party. To his backers, and supporters in the international community like the US government, he is the leading force for reform in Malaysia. However, Malaysians, particularly non-Muslims see controversy in Mr Anwar's political roots in radical Islam. To this Mr Anwar maintains that he is a unifying figure, not a divisive one. VIA
Following BN’s unprecedented electoral losses in March polls,Mr Anwar has repeatedly claimed that he plans to oust the government by Sept 16, with the help of BN lawmakers crossing over to his Pakatan alliance. See PDF Today
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 "We will restore the integrity of the judiciary, fight corruption and build a truly unified nation," "I share in the joy felt by all Malaysians on this historic day. This is a victory for the people. And it's great to be back," said Anwar
Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail had allegedlycalled the Chinese pendatang (immigrants) and was also reported to have said that “as the Chinese were only immigrants it was impossible to achieve equal rights amongst races” during a ceramah in Permatang Pauh on Aug 25.
Thursday September 11, 2008-Ahmad accepts punishment of three-year suspension from the party but stays defiant. He refused to apologise or retract his contentious statement and called on Umno members and Malays to stay calm, adding that it was “a lesson for the Malays to be united”. VIA
See "Najib apologise" See also this image posted in Malaysia Today comment
Tuesday September 9, 2008- During a discussion on how to reach out to 50 Barisan Nasional MPs on a study trip in Taiwan, Anwar said, on Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s controversial statement that the Chinese were immigrants, Pakatan Rakyat had slammed speech made by him as reflecting racist views in Umno and that “They are using racial issues to defend the survival of a few Malay cronies and not the Malay rakyat,”
Anwar said the Datuk Ahmad Ismail issue was an incitement by Umno leaders.
“To deflect attention from abuse of power, corruption, mismanagement of the economy and the impending and imminent change (of government) in this country,” He said the Ahmad issue was a wrong and unjust one to use on innocent Malays, bumiputras, Chinese and Indians. VIA
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Umno leaders should stop using racial sentiments to seek support from the people.“They (Umno leaders) do not seem to understand history very well.“They are not being respectful and sensitive toward the feelings of the non-Malays,” he told reporters Saturday at a thanksgiving luncheon in Kampung Permatang Pasir, Permatang Pauh. Saturday August 30, 2008
| Diversity doesn’t mean Disunity by Khoo Kay peng (Excerpts from PDF Today) Why are politicians so eager to play up, instead of celebrating, the diversity the country enjoys? Only days ago during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign, the United Malays National Organisation Bukit Bendera division chairman Ahmad Ismail called Chinese Malaysians un-grateful “squatters” in the country. Politicians who refuse to accept the realities of the 21st century should be ushered to the museum. It is odd to want to be racially or socially exclusive at a time when the world is so interconnected. Malaysia stands to benefit so much more from inter-cul- tural exchanges, rather than staying inside a communal shell. Malaysians should reflect on how they can strengthen their part-nership to make Malaysia economi-cally successful. With a population of less than 28 million, Malaysia is a small fish swimming in a big ocean. The globalisation wave will sweep the nation aside if Malaysians do not develop strong arms to keep up with the rest. High inflationary pressure and lower consumer demands are holding up domestic investment. If even the locals cannot be kept from leaving, how can Malaysia hope to attract others to invest in it? The lack of confidence in the economy should be the main concern of the government. Not the controversial DNA Bill. It will be highly admirable if the government can help tackle some economic issues and challenges as quickly as they pushed through that Bill in Parliament. The march towards greater success should start with a tiny first step: Kick out racism and corruption. The writer, who wrote this piece for The Malaysian Insider, is a corporate consultant, a political analyst and the co-author of Non-Sectarian Politics in Malaysia: The Case of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia. |
RECAP:Anwar released on bail On July 17, 2008
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim speaks to CNN after he was released on bail.Source: CNN
Gambling licence: Yong responds to Najib's allegation
Aug 22, 08 5:06pm
Sapp president Yong Teck Lee has lashed out at Umno leaders saying that they do not have the moral authority to speak on the issue of gambling in Sabah because they bring up such matters only when it suits their purposes.
'Najib asked me to attack Anwar in Ijok'
Licence issued in 2001 by BN
SOURCE: MALAYSIAKINI
ANWAR ONCE DEMANDED GAMBLING LICENCE IN SABAH, SAYS NAJIB
(Ijok) Of Najib’s Little Finger
| Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is charged Thursday August 7, 2008 with sodomy and the legal battle will have serious implications on his comeback bid in the Permatang Pauh by-election, which he engineered by getting his wife to resign the seat. Nomination Day is set for Aug 16 and polling day 10 days after that Reacting to the Election Commission announcements on the date and the authorities' decision to charge him, Anwar accused the Government of conspiracy to fix him to prevent him from making a political comeback.Brickfields CID chief Asst Supt Jude Pereira was at the PKR de facto leader's house in Bukit Segambut at about 12.15pm, five minutes after the EC issued its statement. Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that he was not the one who announced the date and he did not ask for the charge to coincide with it.  Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, 61, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court Thursday to a charge of sodomising his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23. He was accused of committing the offence under Section 377B of the Penal Code between 3.01pm and 4.30pm in unit 11-5-1 of the Desa Damansara Condominium at 99, Jalan Setia Kasih, Bukit Damansara on June 26 2008. If found guilty, offenders under the charge of "carnal intercourse against the order of nature", can be punished of up to 20 years' in jail. Judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah then released Anwar on a personal bond of RM20,000 without surety, after saying that there was no likelihood that he would abscond. The judge set for Sept 10 for mention, pending transfer to High Court if needed. VIA |
August 7, 2008 Video Clip Part1, 2 & 3........
PKR de facto leader addresses the Taman Medan crowd the evening after his hearing at the KL sessions court earlier in the morning...
VIA Malaysiakini
| Tuesday July 29, 2008 MYT 3:53:08 PM The medical report from Hospital Pusrawi, See the Doctor's Report signed by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid at 2.14pm on June 28, was leaked on the Internet on Monday to be lack of medical indication that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Anwar’s 23-year-old former aide, had been sodomised. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged the police to stop their investigation and to send the medical report to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and classify the case under “no further action.” That the medical report leaked on Monday confirmed that the sodomy allegations against him were baseless and were politically-motivated. Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said that the case won't be dropped based just on the medical report. The police have denied that allegation by Raja Petra Kamaruddin, editor of news portal Malaysia Today that Dr Mohamed Osman had gone into hiding because the police wanted him to change his medical report to implicate Anwar. (PKR) vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye went one step further and said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan should stop all investigations into the sodomy claim against the Opposition de facto leader and act against Mohd Saiful for lodging a false police report against Anwar. VIA |
| Were the Anwar Sodomy Charges Faked? 28 July 2008 A medical report surfaces saying the male aide who filed charges against the opposition leader wasn’t molested.See the Doctor's Report The doctor who examined a 23-year-old male aide allegedly sodomized by Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim found no evidence of tearing or scarring that would indicate penetration, according to a medical report leaked to local journalists.If the document is genuine, it can be expected to raise further suspicions of complicity on the part of top government leaders in attempting to destroy Anwar politically. The charges against Anwar, filed by the youth on June 28, could end the opposition politician's political career and put him back behind bars, where he had spent six years from 1999 on similar charges, which human rights organizations across the world condemned as trumped up. Sodomy is a crime punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and caning Anwar was arrested two weeks after the youth filed the complaint and was jailed overnight on July 15 after police, some wearing balaclava masks, descended on his home, a move that sent Anwar's supporters into the streets around the police station where he was being held. He refused at that time to give a DNA specimen, charging that it could be misused. According the medical report, which allegedly was filed at Hospital Pusrawi Sdn Bhd on Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur, the aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, was examined by Dr Mohamed Osman on June 28 at 2 pm. After he had gone to the hospital to complain about pain he said he was suffering in his anus, he allegedly told hospital personnel that he had been assaulted by a "very important person." After Dr Mohamad refused to write a report that Saiful had been sodomized, according to Malaysia Today, the doctor suggested that the youth obtain another diagnosis at a government hospital. Doctors at that hospital also refused to confirm a diagnosis of sodomy, according to the publication, although it did not name the doctors. Nonetheless, Malaysia Today reported, Saiful filed the report of assault at a nearby police kiosk four hours later. After Mohamad Osman made the report indicating no sexual assault had taken place, police picked up the doctor and detained him for three days to attempt to persuade him to change his diagnosis, according to Malaysia Today. The doctor, the publication said, has since gone into hiding with his family. In a telephone interview with Asia Sentinel, Deputy Inspector General of Police Ismail Omar confirmed that Dr Mohamad had been questioned, but said he had never been detained. Attempts to reach hospital officials were unsuccessful. They were said to be in a meeting. However, although the medical report could not be independently verified, a senior Pusrawi Hospital official told the Internet publication Malaysiakini this morning that the hospital had launched an internal investigation on how Saiful's medical report was leaked, which is widely considered as a major infringement of patient privacy. When Malaysiakini showed the official a copy of the report, he refused to return it but he didn't describe it as fake, saying, "It's our document." Anwar's party issued a statement saying that "the medical report leaked today appears to confirm what we have always believed - that the allegations against Anwar Ibrahim are without merit and politically motivated." The existence of the report, the statement continued, "further erodes any confidence the public would have in the credibility of the police report that has been filed against Anwar Ibrahim, 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?" Anwar and his three-party coalition, made up of his own Parti Keadilan Rakyat, the Democratic Action Party and Parti Islam se-Malaysia, are attempting to oust the ruling Barisan Nasional, or National Coalition, from 50 years of unbroken power. In March 8 elections, the opposition coalition broke the two-thirds hold the BN had enjoyed in parliament since independence. Anwar was in the political wilderness for a decade after he broke with former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1998. Although the 1999l sodomy charge against him was later reversed, the 61-year-old former deputy prime minister was barred from running for political office because the corruption charge remained. That ban, however, has been repealed and Anwar expects to stand in a by-election. If he is victorious, he has repeatedly forecast that in mid-September he will lure enough pro-Barisan lawmakers this side to take over the government. Anwar has made numerous allegations of political corruption against top leaders of the United Malays National Organisation, the lead party in the three-party Barisan Nasional. If the coalition indeed takes power, top members of the government, the judiciary and law enforcement have a great deal to fear. Anwar has already sought to have his original conviction reversed and has filed charges against Abdul Ghani Patail, the attorney general, and Musa Hassan, the chief of police for allegedly fabricating the evidence against him in the original case. Malaysia Today earlier reported that a witness told the publication Saiful had met with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, the designated successor to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Anwar's rival for political power, concerning the filing of the charges. Najib had first told reporters he had never met with the youth and later said he had only met him briefly for "career counseling." Raja Petra himself has been a major source of embarrassment to the government, directly accusing Najib and his wife of being involved in the brutal execution murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was shot twice in the head in October of 2006 and dumped in a patch of jungle before she was blown up with plastic explosive. In response, the government - although neither Najib nor his wife - has charged Raja Petra with both sedition and criminal libel, a statute that is very rarely used today and deals with the danger to national security. Raja Petra, a member of the Selangor sultanate, has refused to back down, saying that if he goes to jail, he intends to take Najib down with him. Prime Minister Badawi has fully backed Najib and named him as his successor. Despite numerous attempts to get Najib into court for interrogation, the judge in the year-old trial of one of his best friends and two of his bodyguards for Altantuya's murder has refused to call him, most recently last week. VIA |
Last Updates: Friday July 18, 2008 MYT 9:47:30 PM
Malaysian Anwar told the BBC's Robin Brant that there was no case because there was no evidence.
| Friday July 18, 2008 MYT 9:47:30 PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has stressed that there is no political conspiracy against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and has given his assurance for the safety of the PKR adviser & assurance that the investigation on the sodomy allegation on Anwar would be conducted professionally. VIA Friday July 18, 2008 MYT 8:47:17 PM KUALA LUMPUR: The police will give Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim a copy of the police report lodged by his former aide alleging that Anwar had sodomised him “if and when” Anwar is charged in court.Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said police could not give him a copy now as investigations were still in progress. Section 51A of the CPC, titled Delivery of certain documents, reads as follows. (1) The prosecution shall before the commencement of the trial deliver to the accused the following documents: (a) A copy of the information made under Section 107 relating to the commission of the offence to which the accused is charged, if any; (b) A copy of any document which would be tendered as part of the evidence for the prosecution; and (c) A written statement of facts favourable to the defence of the accused signed under the hand of the Public Prosecutor or any person conducting the prosecution. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), the prosecution may not supply any fact favourable to the accused if its supply would be contrary to public interest. VIA |
| Updates: Thursday July 17, 2008 MYT 6:32:07 PM A copy of the police report of the sodomy allegation made by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan has been denied to Anwar & lawyers despite repeated requests. Anwar has given his own statement for five hours yesterday (Wednesday) and for another 30 minutes this morning.This raises suspicion on the possibility of fabrication on the sodomy statement by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan to fix anwar.There has never been a known case where a suspect did not know exactly what he was being accused of or denied access to the police report made by the accuser, Anwar said. Though the police treated him well and "did not touch him." he had been put in lock-up meant for hardcore criminals overnight and forced to sleep on a cold cement floor regardless of his public known severe back problem major back surgery before. Lying on the cold cement floor has exacerbated the pain. It was only at 1am when Azizah (wife, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) brought him a towel that I could put the towel on the floor and lie on it," Anwar stated. His back was so severe that Thursday morning when he was released, his family doctor had to inject him with a strong dosage of pain killer to ease the pain. Anwar reiterated " I don't deserve this. No Malaysian deserves this. Why treat me like a major criminal and public enemy? Short of torture, what else do you call it, " During his medical examination that he was made to undergo at the KL Hospital, he was stripped naked, had his whole body was examined including his private parts measured. "Of course I refused to be photographed because it would be on (video sharing portal) YouTube very soon! For a man of my age, it's not a compliment!" he quipped, to much laughter. Anwar said he did not agree to having a blood sample taken because he did not trust the system and feared that the police would fabricate evidence against him using his DNA as he alleged they had done 10 years ago for a similar crime. There is no guarantee the safety of the sample once it was handed over to the police. He cited the 1998 sodomy case where the police found his samples on a mattress to implicate him and when the court found the evidence inadmissible, Justice S. Augustine Paul merely expunged that part, amended the charges and let the case proceed instead of throwing the case out. He also pointed out that in the present case, Mohd Saiful was still under police protection "making any fabrication possible" if they obtained his DNA. Much to say that the police already had his DNA sample of 10 years ago which they forcibly obtained from KLH. The burden of proof was with the accuser. Anwar stated that he is prepared to be investigated but not to be intimidated,compelling evidence to submit. Anwar said he was confident if the case was professionally handled and transparent, it would have been closed by now for lack of evidence. Anwar also "advised" the Prime Minister to conduct the case professionally. "I went through hell in the 1998 case. They should not use this as a personal vendetta against me," he said, adding that both Musa and Gani should have nothing to do with the case.He also took to task Federal CID director commissioner Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin for telling Malaysians a "blatant lie" by saying that they had the reason to believe that Anwar was not going to show up at the police headquarters at 2pm on Wednesday as promised."I gave my commitment that I would come. My lawyer had just spoken to DSP Jude Pereira at 12.45pm and assured him that I would show up on time," he said, adding that he was ambushed 5 minutes after that call. Anwar’s bail expires on Aug 18 when he will have to report to the police. He added that Anwar will only give a DNA sample if ordered by a court. Anwar is safely back at his home in Bukit Segambut in Kuala Lumpur by 10.05am.Anwar's statement was taken down to facilitate police investigations into the report lodged on June 28 by his 23-year-old former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan alleging he had been sodomised by the PKR de facto leader. At a press conference at about 10am, Anwar's lawyers R. Sivarasa and Sankara said that no charges had been levied on the former deputy prime minister at this time. He will have to report to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters on Aug 18 however. VIA "Under Malaysian law, the police cannot force any person to give a DNA sample without his consent.Syed Hamid said he was also scheduled to table a DNA Bill in the Parliament during this meeting, which would make it illegal for anyone to refuse DNA testing for criminal cases.Asked if it was not suspicious that Mohd Saiful had gone to complain to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak before lodging a police report, Syed Hamid said in Malaysia, "a minister’s house is open to the public". VIA |
Updated Thursday July 17, 2008 MYT 9:58:33 AM Show of anger: Anwar's arrest generates a growing crowd outside IPK yesterday. At midnight, police ordered the group to disperse and were prepared to make more arrests.Federal Reserve Unit personnel were bought on standby with two water-cannon vehicles. At 12.20am, PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin urged the crowd to disperse. No further arrests were madeThe Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was released on police bail Thursday morning after having his statement recorded the night before in connection to the report lodged on June 28 by his 23-year-old former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan alleging he had been sodomised by the PKR de facto He was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) as a suspect in accordance with the law.He also appealed to the public not to speculate and to allow the police to investigate this case as they would any other case. Police arrested Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim an hour before the 2pm deadline for the reason given by Federal CID director Commissioner Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin as Anwar was supposed to go directly to the Kuala Lumpur headquarters immediately after giving his statement to the ACA in Putrajaya which instead Anwar left the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya re-routed and headed back to his house in Segambut. This lead to the belief that he was not going to show up at the KL police headquarters. Anwar, who had left the ACA headquarters at 12.20pm, was arrested for investigation under Section 377C of the Penal Code for carnal intercourse against the order of nature.Comm Bakri said police arrested him near his house as they wanted to avoid any untoward incident or commotion had they arrested him at his house. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was arrested by the police, refused to give a sample for a DNA test when he was brought to Hospital Kuala Lumpur.His lawyer R. Sivarasa said that police requested for a full medical examination at the hospital but only a minimal one was done as they re not prepared to agree to that. He was arrested at 1pm just outside his house in Segambut Dalam.His lawyer Sankara Nair said Anwar, who had finished his appointment with the Anti-Corruption Agency in Putrajaya in the morning, was heading home to refresh himself and say goodbye to his family before going to the police headquarters. “But as we neared Anwar’s house, we were stopped by policemen and members of the Special Ops Units (UTK) wearing balaclavas,” he told a press conference in the afternoon.At 11.20am, Sankars Nair & Anwar told the ACA they had to stop(with a promise to return on Monday 21st, though the officer was reluctant and wanted to finish everything off reminded ACA they had to meet the police.Sankara said Anwar had no intention of skipping his meeting with the police. Sankara said that at around 12.45pm, he received a call from the police asking if Anwar would be present at the station later, to which Sankara said yes.“But a few minutes later, he was arrested,” he said.Anwar, together with his driver, were in the car with Sankara and his other counsel R. Sivarasa at the time. Sankara said one Supt Taufek, who was in uniform, made the arrest under Section 377C of the Penal Code, although no warrant was produced.The section is for the offence of carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent.The lawyer confirmed that the police did not use weapons or handcuff Anwar during the arrest. Sivarasa stayed on to advise Anwar after 6pm as police allowed only one counsel to be present.There was nothing much the lawyers could do for Anwar at this point in time.“Police can detain him for 24 hours before requesting a remand order from the magistrate for a maximum period of 14 days. At this stage the only thing to do by Anwar lawyers is to argue our case with the magistrate on why the remand should not be granted. About 11.15pm yesterday, PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin addressed the crowd which had gathered outside the police headquarters and told them that Anwar would be held overnight urging the crowd, which held a candlelight vigil, to remain calm. Party deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali believe the arrest of PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is to thwart the Opposition’s takeover of the country. He said the arrest came less than 15 hours after “an overwhelming majority of Malaysians expressed their support” for Anwar following his live appearance on television on Tuesday night.In the debate with Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Anwar expressed his intention to stand for election and to lower the petrol price by 50 sen per litre once the Pakatan Rakyat formed the new government.He also believed the police had arrested Anwar to “force” evidence out of him. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the party strongly criticised the police move. PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar said the arrest was unexpected. Wan Azizah and her daughter Nurul Hana were stuck in a lift at the police headquarters when going to visit and deliver some personal items to Anwar 11.50pm.Crew from the nearby Hang Tuah fire station rushed to the scene at 12.08am after receiving a call, and managed to get the duo out at 12.25am. Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar declared that The arrest of PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not politically motivated and the Government is not concerned about a backlash. “Whatever action being taken is according to the due process of the law,” he told CNN yesterday. Syed Hamid said he understood the concern of Anwar's family and assured them that he would be treated fairly and safely. Syed Hamid's deputy Datuk Wan Farid Wan Salleh said Anwar was supposed to have gone straight to the police headquarters after his interview at the Anti-Corruption Agency in Putrajaya but instead, he was on his way home and couldn’t possibly have made it on time. Asked why the police had not waited for the 2pm appointment, Wan Farid replied: “What’s the difference in 20 or 50 minutes?” End of Updates of Thursday July 17, 2008 MYT 9:58:33 AM Source: The Star Anwar will be at the Travers police station at 2pm July 14, 2008 today to give his statement over allegations that he had sodomised 23-year-old Saiful Bukhari Azlan.Latest Monday July 14, 2008 MYT 3:08:19 PM:Anwar didn't turn up As at 3.15pm. At 5pm, Sunday 13th Anwar's lawyer Sankara Nair wrote to the police that in view of their intimidation and harassment of the family he doesn’t think they could come on 2pm on Monday 14th as earlier agreed on a voluntarily basis.However, that they were prepared to come in voluntarily if the police called them again and fixed another date. CID director Commissioner Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said police issued Anwar with a notice under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) to come forward and to give his statement. Section 111 of the CPC empowers police officers to require the attendance of witnesses. It also states if any such person refuses to attend, the police officer may report such refusal to a magistrate who may at his discretion issue a warrant to secure the attendance of that person as required by such order. Comm Bakri said they wanted to ensure all police action was done according the law.But why a warrant is sought & served before Monday 14th? Anwar fails to show up Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is rescheduled to give his statement to the police on 16th July Wednesday at 2pm, says his lawyer Sankara Nair. Monday July 14, 2008 Anwar vows to continue even if jailed again On police investigation on the alleged fresh sodomy case, Anwar hoped that they would give him “due respect” during interrogation and not bash him up as they did nine years ago. Anwar also slammed the Government for imposing a new ruling to bar MPs from bringing guests to Parliament House effective today, claiming that the measure was a reaction to Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s move to push a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Updates Monday July 14, 2008 Anwar barred from Parliament KUALA LUMPUR: Police have obtained a court order barring Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his supporters and the public from holding any rally or participating in it within a five-kilometre radius of the Parliament building today. Magistrate Nazran Mohd Sham issued the ex-parte order after considering an application from Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Sofian Md Yassin. Monday July 14, 2008 ‘Court order abuses legal process’ KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the court order linking him and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) with a purported gathering today is “slander and an abuse of the legal process”. He said the only decision the PR MPs made was to put forward a no-confidence motion against the Government under Standing Order 18(1). A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion traditionally put before a parliament by the opposition in the hope of defeating or weakening a government. Typically, when parliament votes no confidence, or where it fails to vote confidence, a government must either: On July 10, Opposition and PR leader Datin Wan Azizah submitted an urgent motion of "no-confidence" in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, on behalf of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs. The reasons she cited were the narrow victory of Barisan Nasional in the March general election, the sudden fuel price hike, the marginalisation of PR-led states and the alleged oppression of BN MPs to voice up, had led to the confidence crisis against the prime minister. Kota Kinabalu (11 July 2008): SAPP's members of parliament Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr. Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) will support the motion of no confidence on the Leadership of Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi proposed by Pakatan Rakyat.VIA > SAPP's vote of no confidence against PM (Update 2) |
Wolfowitz a former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense commented "This devout Muslim leader was an impressive and eloquent advocate of tolerance, democracy and human rights. So we were shocked by his arrest and trial in 1998 on charges of corruption and sodomy. I felt his real "crime" had been to challenge Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, whose impressive record will be forever stained by his treatment of Anwar. I joined Senator Sam Nunn and others to speak out in Anwar's defense. When he was finally released from prison in 2004, U.S. policy on Iraq was unpopular in Malaysia, and Anwar was harshly critical. It would have been easy for him to disown our friendship, but he is not that kind of person. He kept the channels of dialogue open, even while making clear our disagreements." Read More
Anwar Ibrahim, a trustee of IIIT, is one of the most important hundred persons in the world today, according to TIME magazine. Datu Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been a tireless champion of moderation and democratic values in the Muslim World.
Source:International Institute of Islamic Thought
Asked at one session about the role of Islam in politics, Anwar replied, "I have no use for governments which call themselves Islamic and then deny basic rights to half their population."
On 14 April 2008, Anwar celebrated his official return to the political stage, as his ban from public office expires a decade after he was sacked as deputy prime minister. One of the main reasons the opposition seized a third of parliamentary seats and five states in the worst ever showing for the Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled for half a century, was due to him leading at the helm. On April 29, 2008, and after 10 years of absence, Anwar Ibrahim returned to the Parliament, albeit upon invitation as a spouse guest of Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, People's Justice Party and the first female opposition leader in Malaysian Parliament's history. He is the Advisor of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, the party of which his wife Dr. Wan Azizah is president. The 2008 election date, however, was set for 8 March 2008, sparking criticisms that Barisan Nasional called for early elections in a bid to deny Anwar's plans for a return to Parliament. In response, Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, declared that she would step down should she retain her Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat to force a by-election in which Anwar himself will contest.
Mr. Anwar, promises profound changes to the country’s authoritarian laws and political system of ethnic segregation, in which each main ethnic group — Malay, Chinese and Indian — has traditionally had its own political party. His multiethnic partners have vowed to abolish a system that gives ethnic Malays discounts on houses, scholarships and a quota of 30 percent of shares in companies listed on the stock market.
Ibrahim Suffian, director of the Merdeka Center, an independent polling agency here, said Malaysians had refrained from voting for the opposition in the past because of a fear of the unknown. But he said he detected less fear in this election and almost no regret by voters afterward. Mr. Anwar must be a member of Parliament to become prime minister, so he has not ruled out having a political ally resign from Parliament, then running in the ally’s place. If his People’s Alliance woos enough defectors to capture a majority in Parliament(need just 30 members to switch allegiance to form government), he said, his wife, Azizah Ismail, who is a member of Parliament, could temporarily become prime minister.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is once again embroiled in a sex scandal, after being accused of sodomy. At 11.03pm on June 29, 2008, online news portal Malaysiakini reported that an aide of Anwar Ibrahim had lodged a police report claiming that he had been sodomised by Anwar. Sodomy, even if consensual, is punishable by 20 years imprisonment in Malaysia. It's the same charge that helped put him behind bars for six years in 1999. This time round, Dr. Anwar says he has solid evidence to prove the government has set him up as part of a dark conspiracy to kill off his political career. The embattled leader says he won't be silenced, vowing to fight tooth and nail to restore his reputation and seize back power.
On Sunday morning, June 29, Anwar moved into the compound of the Turkish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur at the invitation of the Turkish ambassador, however the Turkish Ambassador Barlas Ozener denied this and told Foreign Minister of Malaysia Dr Rais Yatim that Anwar had come on “his own accord for a visit”. Mr Anwar left the embassy after a meeting between Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Rais Yatim, and Turkish ambassador Barlas Ozener. He told the Associated Press he had made the decision to leave after the government had made "all the undertakings to assure his personal safety" Anwar's statement released at 5.30pm, JUNE 29 from the Turkish embassy in Kuala Lumpur
July 2 – Despite its de facto leader facing new sodomy claims, the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition is confident it can oust Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government by Sept 16 or Malaysia Day.Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been courting defectors from Abdullah's Barisan Nasional in a bid to seize power for a historic first time but a second sodomy charge in a decade is a hiccup to his plans.
On July 3, 2008, Anwar presented allegations which claimed that the Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak, was involved in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case, and called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the matter. He showed a sworn statement by murder accused Abdul Razak Baginda's private investigator P. Balasubramaniam that claimed police suppressed evidence to protect some personalities, including proof that Altantuya knew Najib. The private investigator, however, retracted his statement the following day after he was detained by the police for reasons unknown leading to allegations that his retraction was coerced. He and his family has seen gone missing leading the family members fearing for his safety to lodge a missing person's report. The police have since claimed to have initiated a manhunt for the private investigator.
On July 9 - Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday asked the Islamic court to investigate a former aide, who accused him of sodomy, for alleged slander.His decision to bring the case to a sharia court could step up pressure on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s administration and the 23-year-old aide, who is already facing a civil suit by Anwar. Under Islamic law, anyone making accusations of a sexual crime, such as sodomy, has to produce four witnesses to back up their claim. Mr Anwar has also filed a defamation suit at a civil court.
Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail accused the government of orchestrating the allegations which she condemned as political murder against her husband. She produced a photograph of the aide with a staff member of Deputy Prime Minister and said it proved a link of a government conspiracy. However, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi denied it and stressed that his government is not behind the latest sodomy allegation against Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar. On the allegation by Anwar's wife where she shown the photograph taken with a staff member of Deputy Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Razak explained that the picture was taken three months ago when Mohd Saiful went to his office to apply a for government scholarship. It is not surprise that Mohd Saiful has met with other leaders, since he was student leader of UNITEN.
Human Rights Watch said that in addition to its overall concerns about the political nature of Anwar's trial, it also believed that Article 377B of the Penal Code, the sodomy law under which Anwar and his adopted brother are being charged, was itself a violation of human rights. "Quite apart from whether there is any substance to the allegations against Anwar, we believe that so-called 'sodomy laws' violate the right to privacy, promote discrimination. They should be scrapped," Sidney Jones,Asia director of Human Rights Watch said.
See Also
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Anwar Ibrahim - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View blog reactions
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