PM assures safety of both complainant, accused
Malaysiakini.com
Jul 1, 2008
Beh Lih Yi 

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has assured the safety
MCPX
of both Anwar Ibrahim and his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan who had accused the PKR de facto leader of sodomising him.

"For the government, we will assure the safety for whoever that is involved (in the case), whether it is the complainant or the accused," he told a press conference at his office in Parliament.

abdullah ahmad badawi pm mahathir quits umno pc 190508 03The premier earlier met with Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is PKR president and Anwar’s wife, for about 45 minutes in Parliament at 5pm today.

Also present at the meeting was Lembah Pantai parliamentarian, Nurul Izzah, who is Anwar’s eldest daughter.

The meeting was held at Wan Azizah’s request to ask Abdullah to assure her husband’s safety and that no injustice will take place.

Abdullah stressed that there was no conspiracy as far as the latest allegations were concerned.

On PKR’s claim that they received foreign intelligence reports that there was assassination attempt against Anwar, Abdullah said PKR should make a police report on this in order for it to be investigated.

Abdullah also ruled out the need for a different mechanism to investigate the sodomy allegation against Anwar.

PKR has asked for the setting up of an independent inquiry over this.

'Not proper' of Washington

Abdullah also said he will direct Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim to send a protest note to Washington for its statement in urging caution on the matter.

According to the prime minister, the statement by US State Department spokesperson Tom Casey was "not proper" and is tantamount to meddling in Malaysia’s internal affairs.

"I will ask the foreign minister to write (to Washington) because that statement reflects their prejudice against us, our legal system and our enforcement agencies," said Abdullah.

Casey earlier said that the US would oppose any politically motivated investigation or prosecution of Anwar.

Noting that Anwar had previously faced similar charges and that his conviction was ultimately overturned, Casey said, "So, we would hope that there’s not a pattern here."

In the same press conference, the premier also defended Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail over the latest police report lodged by Anwar against the duo.

In his report, Anwar claimed the two senior government officials had allegedly fabricated evidence in relation to his trials which followed his sacking as deputy premier in 1998.

"They are professionals, they know how to carry out their job professionally and within the law," said Abdullah, adding that he did not see any need to remove the two from investigating the new sodomy allegation.

On whether any probe will be carried out against the duo, Abdullah answered: "When the police receive a report regardless on what matter, it’s their responsibility to investigate and study the report which was lodged."

dr wan azizahIn a separate press conference, Wan Azizah said she welcomed the assurance given by Abdullah, whom she added "sympathised and understood our feeling."

Accompanied by PKR MPs, she reiterated her hope to see a fair investigation.

She said this is because although Abdullah is now prime minister, Musa and Abdul Gani - who were involved in Anwar’s cases in the past - still held important positions.

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