Mary E. Kissel
7 August 2008
The Wall Street Journal Asia
Malaysia’s Election Commission set a date yesterday for a parliamentary by-election which opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is contesting. Also yesterday, the police summoned him to court to face charges in a highly questionable sodomy case.
It’s hard to believe that the convergence of these events is a coincidence. Mr. Anwar’s three-party coalition claims it has enough support to topple the current government, should Mr. Anwar win the Aug. 26 by-election. Fully 66% of 1,030 Malaysians surveyed nationwide last month by an independent polling company agreed that the sodomy charge was “a politically motivated action to disrupt Anwar Ibrahim’s political career.” In a smaller poll conducted this weekend by the same company, 72% of Malays — which traditionally support the ruling United Malays National Organization — said they didn’t believe the allegations were true.
The police haven’t done much so far to prove otherwise. But Malaysians certainly also recognize in the current case echoes of the political games that have tormented Mr. Anwar and embarrassed their country before. Back in 1998, the government of then-President Mahathir Mohamed threw Mr. Anwar in jail on sodomy charges, just as Mr. Anwar was challenging the head of state’s leadership. Although Mr. Anwar was subsequently convicted of sodomy and corruption, a high court overturned the sex charge in 2004, less than a year after Mr. Mahathir retired from office.
Arguably, cynicism about the 1998 allegations contributed to public dissatisfaction with much of Malaysia’s political leadership. It is remarkable if authorities are resorting to similar tactics now. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who succeeded Dr. Mahathir, was supposed to usher in a more transparent form of democracy when he took office in 2003. By allowing this case to proceed to the prosecution phase, Mr. Abdullah will be seen as planting himself firmly in the anti-reform camp.
SEE http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/7/nation/20080807150623&sec=nation
additional words and even paragraphs were added to his statement to the police on the matter
Imagine how trust worthy our govt and police are..
Wishing DSAI all the best in the coming election
Clearly says DSAI is being framed..
I wonder how the feelings of all other MP still rubbing shoulders and standing by those how frame a fellow malaysian. Remember the same can happen to you and your family one day..
I am not into politics but everything is not right with this case.
firstly DSAI is too old to manhandle saiful.
Secondly where are the bruises if saiful have resisted.
Try taking the pants off another guy and see if you sustain any bruises..
Third why got to najib and not the police first What is the purpose or reason??
The only reason is (if najib is not involved) he is saying to najib, “see what I am doing for you to your threat so you shouldn’t forget me when it is done”.
I think he could be trying to show najib he can bring down DSAI all alone..
Another survey is at votingmalaysia.blogspot.com
i strongly believe that all the charges is politically based. why do the
gov need to charge dsai ? are they affraid? the most important thing
that our gov should aware is the world watching us. they are laughing
to a statement given by our pm saying that the dna that been taken late 98
is too old today. this is very-very childish and it is confirm
that this drama was created to bring down dsai. how do the scientists
use the thousand years long dna to prove those dinasaurs? the world is
watching our countries judicarial system and the police as well.
IT IS A SHAME TO MALAYSIA….. BN no more trusted by we the malaysian
people. malaysian is not sleeping, we know what is happening and
what should happen. IF THERE IS A STARTING… DEFINATELY THERE WILL BE AN
ENDING…..AND FOR BN THE ENDING IS ON THE 16-9-2008 HOPEFULLY.
NO MORE CHANCE TO BN………….. HIDUP DSAI.
Sounds like a real pain in the ass.
The survey is just a light in an already bright area - “sudah terang, lagi bersuluh”. We all know that the allegations against Anwar is an outcome of fear from those corrupted leaders in the ruling government.
UMNO & BN will soon become irrelevant in Malaysian politics. Either that or it will just disappear for good. As for their leaders - BEWARE!! You will be answerable for all your sins.