Appeal Court Finds Anwar Guilty... March 8 - THE Opposition Leader, Anwar Ibrahim, had his day in court. Backed by some of the most celebrated and feared lawyers in the country he fought to keep the High Court not guilty verdict in the so-called sodomy 2 case intact. His defence needed only to create a reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case. After all, they had won in the first round at the High Court. But they failed to convince the Appeal Court bench of three judges. They should be courageous enough to take responsibility for the failure to keep their client out of jail. Now that Anwar had been found guilty and sentenced to a five-year prison term, they should reflect on the integrity of their argument as they prepare to appeal to the Federal Court. As expected, Anwars backers at home abroad rejected the verdict and continued to raise the spectre of political conspiracy. On trial was not political conspiracy. The fact that the victim was his aide when the crime was perpetrated is immaterial to them. His right was not their concern. The US State Department’s reaction is typical of its bias and disregard for the sovereignty of other countries. To it, justice is done and the judicial system of a foreign country is credible if only the verdict is in favour of its ally. And in Malaysia, Anwar has always been a US ally. The victim’s justice is unimportant to the State Department. Still there are many people in Malaysia, including some members of the government, who look up to the US as saviour. What Happens Now To Reconciliation? IF there indeed is a reconciliation talk involving Anwar in progress, would his forced departure from the political scene affect this highly commendable effort? Hopefully others in the PKR and the opposition are capable to carrying on this effort. Hopefully Umno, on its part, will not step back simply because Anwar is no longer a bother. It’s a mistake to assume that this is the end of Anwar. Already plans are afoot to capitalise on his jailing to revive the Reformasi Movement. The first Reformasi was held in1998 – more than 15 years ago. The original followers of the Reformasi are getting older. Some have become jaded and left. After failing to wrest power, Anwar is losing his shine. To keep his legacy alive and the PKR relevant, a new generation of Reformasi activists is needed. So those hoping to see Anwar rotting in jail should think twice. That was what many in Umno thought when he was shuttled to prison the last time in 1999. UPDATE - THE Appeal Court sentenced Anwar to a five-year jail term. Stay of execution allowed. ORIGINAL POST ANWAR Ibrahim was found guilty by the Appeal Court of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan - (The Star SMS Service). Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is looking at a long jail sentence after the Court of Appeal found him guilty of sodomising his former aide six years ago. here was an uproar in the courtroom when the verdict was read out, overturning the High Courts earlier decision to acquit him for sodomy. It was a unanimous decision. Judge Datuk Balia Yusof Wahi, who is leading a three-man bench, has yet to pass sentence, which is a jail term of up to 20 years. With this verdict, Anwars political career looks to have ended. He will be disqualified from all his political positions and will not be the PKR candidate in the Kajang by-election to be held later this month - (The Malaysian Insider). Malaysian court convicts opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of Sodomy – (Reuters). Posted by A KADIR JASIN at 5:33 PM
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:24:48 +0000
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