Thursday August 7, 2008
Anwar: It won’t derail my election plans
By AUDREY EDWARDS and FLORENCE A. SAMY
Anwar: Join me in historic campaign Anwar: I am innocent
PETALING JAYA: The sodomy charge against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not derail his plans to contest in the upcoming Permatang Pauh by-election.
Anwar said he was looking forward to the campaigning period to meet voters in his home constituency.
The de facto PKR leader reiterated his concern over the integrity of the electoral process where, to date, evidence of phantom voters and “ballot box stuffing” had yet to be addressed by the Election Commission.
“The poor handling of the use of indelible ink in the general election gives all Malaysians, particularly those in Permatang Pauh, reason to be concerned about the conduct of polling this month,” he said in a statement read out during a press conference at the PKR headquarters here yesterday.
Anwar urged the commission to take the opportunity of the by-election to restore some credibility to its reputation.
When asked whether the charges would affect voting in Permatang Pauh, he said it was the decision of the voters in the constituency, adding that the rakyat had been following the case closely and knew all the “tricks”.
His focus during the campaign would be on change and the economy.
“God willing, we will win in Permatang Pauh. God willing, we will win convincingly. I look forward to joining my colleagues in Parliament to prepare for the historic transition that the country is eagerly awaiting,” he said.
When asked what would happen if he was denied bail, Anwar said the campaign would continue citing Hindu Rights Action Front’s M. Manoharan who was detained under the Internal Security Act but had still stood and won the Kota Alam Shah state seat.
When asked about polling day, which falls on a Tuesday, he said it was an “odd” choice where there could be problem as it was a working day for thousands of industrial workers and government staff.
Anwar also claimed he has obtained information that the Attorney-General’s Chambers had repeatedly advised against charging him after studying the investigation papers.
“Despite its views, some individuals within the police have insisted on pursuing this case even though the legal professionals in the AG’s Chambers take a different view.
“We have adduced enough evidence which is unprecedented because we know that it is politically motivated,” he said.
Anwar, who was calm throughout the nearly 40-minute press conference, appeared irritated only when he was asked about his accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s challenge to him to swear on the Quran.
He repeatedly asked the reporter whether it was a political or Islamic question before answering that according to Muslim ulama, a criminal case should be “answered” with proof in the Syariah Court.
News Poll
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- The world just got bigger
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- ‘Flashing candy’ a health hazard: Health Ministry
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Vietnamese plumber fined RM10,000 over RM75 bribe
- Toyota puts the brakes on problem
- Manila joins hunt for Semporna gunmen
RSS
