Sodomy claim : what some Malays say
Malaysiakini.com
Aug 25, 2008 
Muda Mohd Noor  

Some of the Malay voters in Permatang Pauh remain unconvinced by the sodomy allegation against opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim, a factor that could boost his chances in tomorrow’s by-election.
MCPX

They agree with Anwar that the allegation is part of a political conspiracy to thwart his political aspirations, a charge denied by the authorities.

saiful bukhari azlan and anwar ibrahim 150808 2On June 28, the PKR leader’s former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan filed a police report claiming that Anwar had sodomised him. The latter has since been charged with the offence and has claimed trial.

Ishak Yaakub, a resident from Kampung Kepala Bukit, said: “They can spread accusations about him, but we would not believe a thing.”

“We, the residents of Permatang Pauh are mature enough to think. The more they talk about this (allegation), the more we feel sick of them,” he added.

Sheikh Hamzah Sheikh Radzi, from Kampung Pelek, claimed that the people have lost faith in Barisan Nasional (BN).

“This issue will not in any way influence the voters here. Anwar is a leader that we all can trust and we are throwing our support behind him,” he added.

Both Ishak and Sheik Hamzah also believe that the fuel price reduction announced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was politically motivated, aimed at swinging votes.

“They are just sweet-talking their way to getting the votes from Permatang Pauh,” said Sheik Hamzah.    

To Saad Ismail from Kampung Bukit Indera Muda, the latest sodomy allegation could backfire on BN.
 
“Maybe half of them believe in the allegations. But the people of Permatang Pauh can accept Anwar as prime minister,” he said.

Ahmad Jaafar, who hails from the same village as Saad, said it was impossible for Anwar to have committed such an act.

Timing of swearing questioned

Mohd Saiful had alleged that Anwar sodomised him at a plush condominium in Kuala Lumpur on June 26.                    

The opposition leader’s supporters are also not convinced with Mohd Saiful swearing on the Quran that he was sodomomised by Anwar on Aug 15.

They questioned the timing since the swearing took place on the eve of nomination for the by-election.     

The video clip of Mohd Saiful’s swearing has been aired around-the-clock at BN campaign offices in Permatang Pauh.

Anwar is locked in a three-cornered fight  for the parliamentary seat vacated by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. His main rival is BN candidate Arif Shah Omar Shah.

Third candidate Hanafi Hamat, president of little-known Islamic party Akim, is not expected to pose any serious threat.                    

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