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Anwar cites doctor's report in legal battle
Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ebrahim produced a doctor's report on Tuesday that he said showed his accuser had not been sodomised, as he tries to fend off criminal allegations in his drive to unseat the government.
- Reuters
- Published: 23:47 July 29, 2008
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ebrahim produced a doctor's report on Tuesday that he said showed his accuser had not been sodomised, as he tries to fend off criminal allegations in his drive to unseat the government.
The former deputy premier turned de facto opposition leader is facing criminal investigations that he had homosexual sex with a former aide last month, in what he says is a trumped-up allegation aimed at scuttling the opposition's rise to power.
Alleged links
A copy of a report, said to be by the doctor who examined the alleged victim after he filed a police report against Anwar, was earlier published by a prominent blogger who has also alleged government links to a high-profile Mongolian murder case.
Anwar said the medical findings showed "the allegations levelled against me are baseless and politically motivated, and that the complainant is an outright liar working hand in glove with those in power to assassinate my character".
"This report makes a mockery of the so-called impartial police investigation, and clearly shows the dubious and persistent attempts to incriminate me by whatever means employable," Anwar told reporters.
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Sodomy is a crime punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment in mostly Muslim Malaysia.
Anwar said the doctor who produced the report has gone on leave, citing hospital authorities. Neither the doctor nor his hospital have confirmed that the report Anwar produced yesterday was genuine.
Anwar said he was worried about the safety of the doctor who signed the medical report.
"Reports that he and his family may be in danger must not be taken lightly, given earlier instances when key witnesses in high-profile cases in Malaysia have been threatened, coerced or gone missing."
A police official was quoted as saying in The Star newspaper yesterday that the doctor had not been arrested.
Home (Interior) Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Monday the authorities should finish investigations into Anwar as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary rumours.
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