Malaysian DPM Najib denies role in sodomy charges against Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on Monday dismissed allegations he was involved in the case of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim being accused of sodomy or having threatened his safety.

A 23-year-old aide of Anwar lodged a police report on Saturday alleging that the de facto leader of opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) had sodomised him on Thursday.

Following the allegations, Anwar had sought refuge at the Turkish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. He claimed that he had information from government sources and military intelligence that BN agents planned to harm or probably kill him, and harm members of his family and his supporters.

Najib said: "The BN (Barisan Nasional) government has never threatened his (Anwar's) life and was not involved in anything to threaten or harm politicians in Malaysia. We don't intend to do so. That is not a practice of the BN government."

Meanwhile, in a statement to the Bernama news agency, Najib said the Anwar aide is a former student of Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) while his (Najib's) officer in the photograph was responsible for, among other things, higher education.

"It is normal for guests, particularly students, who come to the office of the deputy prime minister to pose for photographs with officers as a record of their visit," he said.

Therefore, Najib said, "the allegation by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of Anwar, that the photograph was evidence of an intention to wipe out her husband's political career is baseless and intended to shift the focus of attention away from the actual accusation".

He said Wan Azizah's issuing of the statement and distribution of the photograph could cause confusion and misinterpretation among the people.

"The police have said they will investigate the case thoroughly. We believe they will take into account all the aspects, including the various allegations made by PKR,” said Najib. - CNA/ir

Channel NewsAsia
30/06/08