Lim calls for release of Anwar report
Lim calls for release of Anwar report
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian opposition leader Lim Kit Siang
called on Sunday for the release of a police report into the
black eye and other bruises sustained by ousted deputy prime
minister Anwar Ibrahim in police custody.
"Today is the full third month of the first detention of Anwar
Ibrahim, the day he said he was physically assaulted by police
when in custody in Bukit Aman until he lost consciousness," he
said in a statement.
Lim, who heads the Democratic Action Party and is also
opposition leader in the federal parliament, said the delay in
releasing the report was "another national and international
scandal" for Malaysia.
Even though it was submitted to his office a month ago, Lim
noted that Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah was "still sitting on
the report of the independent police investigation team into the
outrageous incident... showing no sense of urgency or
seriousness in the case."
Lim recalled that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had said the
government would not allow the alleged assault to be covered up.
"If this is the case, he should direct the immediate
publication of the police findings on the three-month old Anwar
black eye -- and demand a public explanation from the attorney
general (for) the inordinate delay," he said.
Lim also voiced support for an appeal by Anwar's wife Azizah
for her husband to be released on bail for the Muslim fasting
month of Ramadhan, which started on Sunday.
"During the holy month of Ramadhan, we appeal to the
government to allow him to come home," she told reporters
Saturday. "He should come home to be with us."
Anwar, fired on Sept. 2 and arrested 18 days later after
leading a huge protest in the capital, is on trial on four
corruption charges related to allegations that he used his
position to cover up claims of sexual misconduct.
He faces another corruption charge and five charges of sodomy,
carrying maximum penalties of up to 20 years jail.
Complaining of limited access to his lawyers, Anwar is
appealing a high court ruling rejecting his application for bail.
Last Saturday, the court of appeal said a decision was
expected within one to two weeks.