KUALA LUMPUR: The DNA Bill was passed by Parliament today, much to the chagrin of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs, especially PKR’s de facto leader and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
PR leaders fear the law would provide ammunition for the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to “kill off” Anwar, who is facing a sodomy charge, the second in ten years.
The Bill with met fierce protests when it was first introduced last year and opposition MPs feel the timing of its introduction is suspicious, and have alleged that the government was bulldozing the legislation through in time for Anwar’s sodomy trial.
“PR is convinced that the way, the manner they are rushing through and refusing to acknowledge the valid criticism, is clearly meant to be used during (my) trial,” said Anwar.
The opposition leader was in Parliament today overseeing how his fellow PR MPs tried in vain to protect their leader by attempting to delay the passing of the Bill.
But Anwar said he was not worried.
“We have to fight them, with or without the Bill,” he said, adding that he felt the law was passed for no other reason than to “legitimise and smear” his image.
Anwar has been charged with sodomising his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
The opposition leader’s lawyers have filed for the charge to be struck out and the court has set July 8 for hearing.
MI
23/06/09
PR leaders fear the law would provide ammunition for the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to “kill off” Anwar, who is facing a sodomy charge, the second in ten years.
The Bill with met fierce protests when it was first introduced last year and opposition MPs feel the timing of its introduction is suspicious, and have alleged that the government was bulldozing the legislation through in time for Anwar’s sodomy trial.
“PR is convinced that the way, the manner they are rushing through and refusing to acknowledge the valid criticism, is clearly meant to be used during (my) trial,” said Anwar.
The opposition leader was in Parliament today overseeing how his fellow PR MPs tried in vain to protect their leader by attempting to delay the passing of the Bill.
But Anwar said he was not worried.
“We have to fight them, with or without the Bill,” he said, adding that he felt the law was passed for no other reason than to “legitimise and smear” his image.
Anwar has been charged with sodomising his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
The opposition leader’s lawyers have filed for the charge to be struck out and the court has set July 8 for hearing.
MI
23/06/09
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