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The Malaysian Bar Council is shocked to note that the laboratory report by Gribbles Pathology (M) Sdn Bhd states that the arsenic level in Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim's body is 230.0 ug/g creat. It is worrying to note that this is 77 times more than the normal level to be found in the body. The Council has verified that the pathology report dated 8th September 1999 was only received by Dato' Seri Anwar's lawyers on the evening of 9th September 1999 and was handed to the learned Judge on the morning of 10th September 1999. The allegations of vacillation or delay are, therefore, unfounded.

These facts as alleged raised very serious implications for Dato' Seri Anwar's physical security. The authorities are wholly responsible for the mental and physical well-being of any prisoner in their custody in any of the country's prisons and lock-ups.

Whilst we welcome the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister that an immediate investigation will be conducted into the issue, and the assurance by the Attorney­General that he will leave no stone unturned. we remember the previous incident where serious injuries were inflicted on the same accused while in police custody and upon it becoming known, the Prime Minister himself stated that it could have been self-inflicted. The investigation, entrusted to the police force, failed to identify the perpetrator even after a prolonged period of several months. The Attorney-General, too, could not identify the perpetrator, having taken over conduct of the investigation with certainty. It was only after repeated requests by the Bar Council and the public and various non-governmental organisations that a Royal Commission of Inquiry was set up which easily and speedily identified the perpetrator. The fact that the Inspector General of Police at the material time had inflicted the injury was known to several other police officers who remained silent throughout the period until the Inquiry cast serious doubt on the integrity and efficacy of police investigation in Dato' Seri Anwar's case. The present situation which would indicate another attempt at inflicting serious if not fatal injuries on Dato' Seri Anwar and the allegations of high level conspiracy make it imperative that an independent and public enquiry be immediately commissioned.

The Bar Council calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be set up to speedily determine the cause of the arsenic poisoning and the persons responsible.

Dated: 13th September 1999

R.R.Chelvarajah
President