Anwar: I was stripped naked and measured
Now Anwar tells his version of the events yesterday …
Despite this humiliation and hardship, Anwar was in a defiant mood today, adamant that the government had no case against him.
"I’m so confident that I will overcome this case if it is conducted professionally. I’m pleading to the Prime Minister to ensure this investigation is conducted professionally and that we can be done with it," said Anwar, drawing applause and cheers from hundreds of his supporters who were standing behind an already large entourage of journalists at the press conference.
He insisted that the attempt by the Barisan Nasional to derail the Pakatan Rakyat’s march to power will fail and pledged to continue speaking at political rallies around the country.
"We should go on. The issue is not Anwar. The issue is the state of governance and the economic management of the country… Despite the government’s plan to derail me, Pakatan remains strong," he added.
DNA: Anwar will comply if court orders but…
The idea of manipulation of police report is intriguing.
In a related matter, Sankara revealed that he had made five attempts – verbally and in writing – to obtain the police report lodged by Saiful.
He said the Brickfields district police had on July 3 agreed to provide a copy of the police report but reneged on their promise the following day.
"The police report is a public document and the accused should be given a copy," he said.
PKR supreme council member and lawyer Latheefa Koya explained that normally, the police would withhold reports to protect the identity of the accuser but in this case, Saiful is already known to the public.
"Our concern is that the police report may be subject to manipulation after the police obtain statements from Anwar," she said.
What Anwar & Raja Petra Are Charged With
Bob goes on educational mode …
Anwar Ibrahim was arrested as a suspect under Section 377A (according to the NST) and/or Section 377C (according to The Star) of the Penal Code :
Carnal intercourse against the order of nature
377A. Any person who has sexual connection with another person by the introduction of the penis into the anus or mouth of the other person is said to commit carnal intercourse against the order of nature.Explanation—Penetration is sufficient to constitute the sexual connection necessary to the offence described in this section.
Committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent, etc.
377C. Whoever voluntarily commits carnal intercourse against the order of nature on another person without the consent, or against the will, of the other person, or by putting the other person in fear of death or hurt to the person or any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than twenty years, and shall also be liable to whipping.Raja Petra was charged earlier today under Section 500 of the Penal Code:
Punishment for defamation
500. Whoever defames another shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.
Hadi confirms Pas will remain with Pakatan
I heard from a "reliable" source the other day how it’s so easy for misinformation to be published.
After all the speculation in the media that the Hadi Awang faction in Pas was getting too close to Umno for comfort, the Pas president has today stressed (menegaskan) that Pas will continue its struggle with Pakatan Rakyat to create a government that is “trustworthy, clean and just”.
Next change: Anwar out, Raja Petra in
What’s next or what will persevere?
Malaysians today are a much more politically mature lot. They voted for real change on 8 March – they want people-centred policies and people-powered democracy – and I doubt if they will settle for less. Politicians on both sides of the divide should take note.
If certain quarters are hoping that the arrest of these two public icons will now deflate public expectations for change, I think they are sadly mistaken. Reformasi, Makkal Sathi and people power go well beyond individuals. The people’s passion for justice will continue.
Kenyataan Media Pasca Penahanan 15 Julai 2008
Here’s Anwar Ibrahim’s full press release.
Thanks for helping keep me informed of the situation in Malaysia
Paul Long -you are missing a lot of excitement here thus far… I can’t keep up with the linking, but I will try as a service to folks like you overseas!