Defiant Anwar jailed nine years for sodomy

Defiant Anwar jailed nine years for sodomy

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A Malaysian judge on Tuesday jailed ex- deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim for nine years for sodomy -- a sentence which could keep him behind bars till 2014.

The sentence effectively dashes hopes of a political comeback by the charismatic Anwar, seen as the natural successor to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad until their dramatic falling-out.

A gasp of shock ran through the High Court as Judge Arifin Jaka sentenced Anwar for what he called a "despicable" act. "These are despicable acts in our society and must meet with utmost condemnation," he said.

Arifin ordered the jail term to start after Anwar has completed a six-year sentence for abuse of power imposed in April 1999.

"Thank you, your honor, you have completed Mahathir's plan," a calm Anwar told Arifin. "We'll meet again in 2014 or earlier."

Anwar says he is the victim of a political conspiracy masterminded by Mahathir because he was seen as a political threat and intended to expose corruption.

Mahathir, aged 74 and in power since 1981, denies any plot.

In a defiant statement, Anwar accused his former mentor of cowardice, destroying the judicial system and trying to protect the interests "of his greedy family and cronies."

Shouts of "Long live Anwar" and "Destroy Mahathir" rang out as he left later in a police van, waving and smiling.

Some 500 police -- backed up by a dog unit, mounted police, a helicopter and a water cannon -- were on duty. At one point the crowd, gathering in defiance of a ban on public assembly, numbered around 1,000.

Eight people were reportedly arrested, including activist Tian Chua, but no major clashes broke out.

Later in the day some 100 supporters shouting "Reformasi!" (reform) gathered in a main shopping street but fled when helmeted riot police armed with batons advanced on them.

Anwar and Sukma, his 39-year-old adopted brother, were convicted of sodomizing Azizan Abu Bakar, a former Anwar family chauffeur, between January and March 1993.

Sukma was also convicted of abetting Anwar in committing sodomy, seen as a serious crime in this mainly Muslim country. Sukma was sentenced to six years in jail and four strokes of the cane but was granted bail pending an appeal.

Without remission, Anwar will be in jail until 2014. With the customary one-third remission he could be free in 2009 but cannot stand for parliament for five years after his release.

Anwar's wife Azizah Ismail broke down and sobbed after the sentence. Three of their daughters were in the courtroom. "We are shocked and very angry," said eldest daughter Nurul Izzah. "We never expected it to be so cruelly done. The fight will go on."

Azizah, fighting to keep her composure, told reporters: "Even though I had expected it, it does not soften the pain, the anguish, the shock and dismay. It is a cruel sentence."

She said Anwar would appeal.

"This will send shockwaves throughout the nation, throughout the world," said lead defense counsel Christopher Fernando.

"It's a black day for justice in Malaysia," said Mahfuz Omar, youth chief of the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia.

Anwar, sacked by Mahathir as deputy premier and finance minister in September 1998, refused to let lawyers plead for mitigation before sentence was passed.

Instead, reading out a statement, he accused Arifin of working to "the pre-ordained script" of conspirators led by Mahathir. The premier, he said, "is a coward who would not take responsibility for his own evil.

"So he uses the courts and with the same stroke he completes the destruction of the judiciary."

Anwar said he was persecuted because he objected "to the use of massive public funds to rescue the failed businesses of his (Mahathir's) children and cronies."

"This (my conviction) is a small sacrifice to pay in the cause of democracy and justice but I worry for the nation. Corruption is endemic, the pillars of democracy, civil society and the rule of law are shattered.

"This nation needs reform and renewal. To Dr Mahathir and his greedy family and cronies, I say, beware the wrath of the people."

The two-year Anwar drama divided the country and eroded support for the ruling party in last November's elections.