Peeved Anwar refuses to go to police HQ
Malaysiakini.com
Jul 14, 2008

PKR de facto
MCPX
leader Anwar Ibrahim has refused to appear at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters today for questioning over the sodomy allegation in protest against "harassment" of his family.

His lawyer Sankara Nair said the police had allegedly "harassed and intimidated" Anwar’s staff and family while trying to serve an order under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code yesterday.

anwar ibrahim and saiful bukhari azlanHe said this was done despite the opposition stalwart agreeing the day before to voluntarily present himself at the police headquarters.

"This was totally unnecessary given that we were all in an unconditional agreement - in advance - that our client will appear at IPK KL at 2pm today.

"Our client has duly protested the uncalled for behaviour of the police and have sent a letter indicating the same, to the police yesterday at 5pm," said Sankara in a statement.

'Act professionally'

In the letter to Criminal Investigation Department chief Mohd Bakri Zinin, Sankara alleged that the "harassment" began after Anwar's family refused to accept the order which DSP Jude Pereira had tried to serve on them at 9.30pm on Saturday.

"The order was not necessary, as our client had already agreed to give a statement.

"Nevertheless, despite the objections being conveyed to the officer, we were informed by our client’s children that at around noon on Sunday, a police team went to their home in Segambut Dalam to harass them and attempt to force them to accept the order.

"That team also refused to leave their home and placed the family under fear. Our client is very disappointed with the lack of professionalism and the intimidation tactics used by the police despite our earlier understanding."

However, the letter also stated that Anwar is ready to cooperate so long as the police act professionally.

Anwar was accused of sodomy by 23-year-old former aide Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan on June 28.

The politician claimed that the charge was fabricated by the government to prevent him from seizing power from a political buildup started by the March elections. Government leaders have since denied this.

Minister not aware of 'harassment'

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said that he was not aware of the  incident where 15 police officers had allegedly “ambushed” Anwar’s home last night.

syed hamid albar 170608 gesturing"The best thing for him to do is to prove that the report is untrue. Go and make a statement to the police," he told reporters in Parliament today.

"Police have got a one-sided report from Saiful and we have done all the necessary investigation."

He said that everyone is subjected to the law.

“We asked him to come last night, he said he couldn’t, so we said ‘okay, come today’. When he said he would come, he did not.

"When he failed to come, we will have to take action. This is because this involves a criminal charge and whoever who have committed a crime will be subjected to the law." 

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