Malaysia's Anwar, investigated for sodomy, freed on bail

SEGAMBUT, Malaysia, July 18 (Kyodo) - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was released on bail Thursday
after being detained overnight to facilitate investigation into a sodomy allegation lodged against him by a former aide, accused police of arresting him out of personal vendetta against him.

''Mind you, they do not have any case,'' Anwar insisted at a packed press conference at his home in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur just hours after he left Kuala Lumpur city police headquarters.

He pointed the finger at federal police chief Musa Hassan, accusing him of carrying out a ''personal vendetta'' by staging his dramatic arrest at 1 p.m.
Wednesday.

Over a dozen policemen, some wearing masks, intercepted Anwar's vehicle just 50 meters from his house and took him away, even though Anwar had already agreed to meet the police by a 2 p.m. deadline.

He was returning home after giving his statement to the Anti-Corruption Agency in Putrajaya over his complaint against Musa and Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail for allegedly withholding and fabricating evidence in relation to the 1998 assault on Anwar by then police chief Abdul Rahim Nor.

''Why was he arrested before the 2 p.m. deadline?'' said close aide Azmin Ali, who is vice president of Anwar's People's Justice Party.

Azmin met with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi late Wednesday to voice concerns over the ''high-handed'' manner of Anwar's arrest.

Anwar said he was treated well by the police during five-and-a-half-hour interrogation, insisting he gave full cooperation.

But he complained about being locked up in a cell meant for serious criminals where he was made to sleep on cold cement floor, which aggravated his back problem.

''Why treat me like a major criminal and a public enemy?'' he said.

Anwar explained that he only refused to submit to having his blood sample taken for DNA test because he worried it would be tampered with.

''I submitted myself to the investigation. I was stripped naked including examination of my private parts. I cooperated except when it came to taking my blood,'' he said. ''I have reasonable grounds for having no confidence in the system.''

He alleged that in his first sodomy trial in 1998, DNA evidence was fabricated to implicate him and again he linked Musa, who was then one of the investigating officers in the case.

Deputy federal police chief Ismail Omar said police may consider getting a court order to force Anwar to produce DNA samples.

He told reporters Anwar was arrested based on ''reasonable suspicion.''

''Based on the credible report, we believe the arrest is reasonable for us. It would not be just for fun. Based on reasonable suspicion, credible information and physical evidence, we then make an arrest. There must be justification,'' Ismail said.

The credibility of the police was seriously undermined by events leading to Anwar being convicted for his first sodomy charge 10 years ago.

A recent survey showed that some 60 percent of the public believes Anwar's claim that the latest sodomy accusation is a ploy by the ruling elite to derail his political comeback.

The accusation surfaced at a time when Anwar is mounting a campaign to topple the ruling National Front coalition government by luring federal lawmakers to switch camp.

Many now fear a repeat of a similar drama a decade ago when Anwar was accused of committing sodomy with the family driver and adopted brother.

He was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998 and then jailed for corruption and sodomy, but the sodomy conviction was later overturned on appeal.

His sacking and imprisonment had sparked unprecedented massive street protests.

The latest sodomy allegation was made last month by Anwar's former aide Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Anwar has filed a defamation suit against his accuser for making false allegations.

Anwar said he would continue his nationwide tour to clear his name. His first rally after his release is set for Friday night in Melaka state.