KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to fight the fresh sodomy allegations levelled against him.
He added that despite the conspirators' efforts to derail him, his plan to form a new government by September is still on track.
A fuming Anwar on Tuesday demanded that the government quash allegations he sodomised Saiful Bukhari, calling the charges another dirty conspiracy.
He claimed Saiful, a 23-year-old university dropout, was just a volunteer who came in during the March 8 election to assist his personal aide.
Anwar said he has the alibi and evidence to prove he is being framed for the second time.
He said: "I would advise them to drop the charge because it did not happen and it's frivolous. Don't waste public funds in order to try incriminate people. No way I am going to give them (an) easy... time. I am going to fight every inch... and expose every member involved - fight them, fight them hard and effectively."
Anwar said he had originally planned to announce on Tuesday his decision to stand for by-election along with four defecting government MPs, but that plan has now been derailed. Still, Anwar said his march to Putrajaya is on track.
Earlier Tuesday, Anwar lodged a police report against the Attorney General and the Inspector General Police for fabricating evidence against him in the sodomy charge 10 years ago.
His wife, Wan Azizah, has sought assurance from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that there would not be a repeat of the 1998 fiasco where Anwar appeared with a black eye after being beaten by the police chief.
Wan Azizah said: "He agrees with me because in Islam, fitnah (slander) is worse than murder, so he says 'yes'."
Mr Abdullah has dismissed claims of conspiracy and promised a fair and thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, the police have searched the upmarket condominium in Damansara where the victim claimed he was sodomised, but no incriminating evidence was found, according to sources. The condo is said to belong to Anwar's friend.
So far, there has been no sign of Saiful, as reporters continue their stakeout at his place in Bandar Utama. His uncle, when met, declined to reveal his whereabouts.
"The matter is under police investigation. So we'll leave it to them," he said.
The alleged victim's family has promised to tell its side of the story at a later date. - CNA/ir
Channel NewsAsia
02/07/08
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