Anwar slams Syed Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim slammed Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar for implying the former deputy premier had not cooperated fully with the police.

Anwar’s counsel R Sivarasa said as a minister overseeing the powerful portfolio, Syed Hamid should know his comments are tantamount to interfering in an ongoing investigation.

At press conference held at Anwar’s residence in Segambut today, he said the minister’s comment also suggested there was a plot to undermined "the credibility and reputation of our client”.

News reports quoted Syed Hamid as saying: “What is he afraid of? He can have his own doctor present when giving the (DNA) sample.”

Sivarasa said due to past experience, Anwar would only consider participating in any DNA analysis when all medical examinations and sample taking relating to the complainant were done professionally and without any interference from the police.

“We also reiterate that there has yet to be any credible justification for resorting to DNA analysis when the police report made by the complainant remains shrouded in secrecy and no evidence substantiating the allegations are made available,” he said.

On Thursday, Anwar was released from detention on sodomy accusation against him by his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

At a press conference after his release, Anwar said he was stripped naked and subjected to an examination of his private parts including “measuring the necessary parts”.

Sivarasa said Anwar had given a lengthy five-hour statement, and consented a voluntarily submitted to a strip search and measurements of his private parts.

This was contrary to the unnamed sources cited in a news report today, he said.

Asked if there were any possibility that Anwar would be rearrested, Sivarasa said: “I can’t think for the police. You have to ask the police that question... But anything is possible.”

Sivarasa also refused to confirm whether Anwar was not with Saiful on June 26, the date when the incident allegedly took place.

“All the details and relevant information have been given to the police... I am not instructed to say anything,” he added.

Pauline Puah
The Edge