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©The
Straits Times, Singapore (Used by permission)
by Hazlin Hassan, Malaysia Correspondent
He sends mixed signals on whether his plan to topple
govt is on track
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim yesterday gave conflicting
signals about his planned move to topple the government as he appeared in
court for a hearing on a sodomy case.
He was initially quoted as saying that his self-declared Sept 16 deadline
could be postponed but then changed tack after appearing in court, telling
reporters it was 'very much' on track.
The hearing itself turned into an anti-climax, with proceedings adjourned to
Sept 24 to allow the defence to argue against the prosecution's move to
transfer the case from the Sessions Court to the High Court where, according
to Anwar's supporters, it would be easier to manipulate.
Anwar was charged last month after one of his former aides, Mr Saiful
Bukhari Azlan, 23, lodged a police report, alleging that he had been
sexually assaulted by the opposition leader in an upscale condominium in
Kuala Lumpur. Anwar has denounced the charge as a conspiracy to thwart his
plans to take over the government.
The transfer order was signed by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, whom
Anwar claims fabricated evidence in a previous sodomy trial in 1998 shortly
after he was sacked as deputy prime minister. Anwar was convicted on the
charge but this was later overturned on appeal.
The defence yesterday argued that Tan Sri Abdul Gani should not be involved
in the current case because Anwar had filed a police report against him and
police chief Musa Hassan in July for allegedly tampering with evidence in
connection with the previous trial.
Anwar's lawyers also argued that the Prime Minister had decided that both
the Attorney-General and the police chief should take not part in the latest
case.
'This is a trial by ambush. How could they allow a person who has a personal
bias, enmity and hatred towards me to make a decision at my expense?' Anwar
told reporters after the hearing.
Sessions Court judge Komathy Suppiah made the rare decision of adjourning
the hearing for two weeks to allow the defence time to research its case
against the transfer order.
Instructions from the Attorney-General are not usually disputed, and
government prosecutor Yusof Zainal Abidin objected, saying it was 'a public
interest case'.
Defence counsel Sulaiman Abdullah argued there was no need to move the case,
pointing out that Judge Suppiah, with 26 years of experience on the Bench,
was capable of presiding over the trial.
Talk about Anwar's bail being revoked yesterday also proved unfounded. The
issue was not raised in court, which means he will remain free on the
personal bond granted when he was charged on Aug 7.
Security measures for the hearing were almost unprecedented, with dozens of
police and water cannons on standby at the court complex. Journalists had to
register at three different places and go through a metal detection scan
before being allowed to enter the courtroom.
Anwar was greeted by 100 opposition supporters when he arrived at the Jalan
Duta court complex, accompanied by his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and two
daughters.
The opposition leader later told reporters that he was on target for the
Sept 16 takeover of the federal government through the defections of 30
Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers. This is despite the BN sending the bulk
of its backbenchers on an overseas junket to Taiwan until next week.
Anwar acknowledged there were 'technical problems' but said he would deal
with it.
'If need be, I'll fly to Taiwan,' he said.
'Hopefully in this blessed month, Malaysians will achieve freedom and fuel
prices will go down,' he said, referring to Ramadan and his pledge to lower
fuel prices if he comes into power.
Anwar was speaking after The Star yesterday quoted him as saying that the
deadline may not be met.
'We definitely have sufficient numbers (of MPs), but we would have to wait
first as they are currently 'enjoying Ramadan' in Taiwan...the date can be
postponed even though our target was Sept 16 previously.'
The deadline is turning out to be a high-stakes game, in more ways than one.
Social science lecturer Sivamurugan Pandian from Universiti Sains Malaysia
said: 'Personally, I don't think he has the numbers. Is it a bluff? People
will question his credibility if Sept 16 comes and goes. Is it just a tactic
to weaken Umno? Or his personal agenda?
'Even if he has the numbers, it might not be a strong and stable government;
it might be fragile. There will be political instability, as BN will never
allow them to simply take over,' he told The Straits Times.
'MAYBE' ON TUESDAY...
'We definitely have sufficient numbers (of MPs), but we would have to wait
first as they are currently 'enjoying Ramadan' in Taiwan...the date can be
postponed even though our target was Sept 16 previously.'
Anwar, as quoted by The Star
...'DEFINITELY' YESTERDAY
'We're working on it. There are technical problems because (the lawmakers)
have been shipped away...God willing, it will happen. If need be, I'll fly
to Taiwan.'
Anwar yesterday after his court hearing
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