Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim arrested

Mr Anwar is a key figure in a resurgent Malaysian opposition Profile: Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been arrested in connection with allegations of sodomy, a crime in the Muslim country, made by an aide.

Mr Anwar is due to spend the night in custody in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, following his arrest by armed police near his home earlier, his lawyer said.

The arrest came shortly before Mr Anwar was due to give a statement to police over the allegations, which he denies.

The former deputy PM says they are aimed at ending his political comeback.

The move is likely to exacerbate the political tensions that have emerged since the opposition's unprecedented gains in the general election of March 2008.

Tian Chua, information chief for Mr Anwar's People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat), said his leader appeared to be in good spirits:

"He's quite cheerful. He's fresh, relaxed and hoping this will be over soon."

Armed police

Mr Anwar has been in a tense stand-off with police since a former male aide accused him of sodomy two weeks ago.

The manner in which they surrounded our vehicle, it put a lot of fear and intimidation into us Sankara Nair Lawyer for Anwar Ibrahim

Sodomy, even between consenting adults, is punishable by 20 years' imprisonment in Malaysia.

The 60-year-old opposition leader had been scheduled to report to police on Wednesday to be interviewed over the allegations.

But an hour before the meeting, armed police wearing balaclavas took him into custody outside the gates of his home, his lawyer said.

"The manner in which they surrounded our vehicle, it put a lot of fear and intimidation into us," Sankara Nair said.

Mr Nair added that he did not know how long his client would be held in custody. He quoted police as saying they needed to take further statements.

Deputy National Police chief Ismail Omar said Mr Anwar was being questioned at police headquarters.

"We have to record his statement to complete our investigations," he told the French news agency AFP. "Once the facts are in we can make a decision."

Police can detain the opposition leader for 24 hours, after which they must apply for a court order for further detention.

Political challenge

Mr Anwar's arrest will be seen as provocative by Malaysian opposition groups.

Police used tear gas and water cannon against Mr Anwar's supporters in 1998

When he was arrested on similar charges 10 years ago, his supporters staged large demonstrations.

A BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant, says it is almost certain that the same thing will happen again now.

The allegations come only weeks after Mr Anwar said he was in a position to launch a challenge to the ruling coalition, with the help of government defectors.

The opposition leader made his claim at a time when Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is already under intense pressure to resign over poor election results and high fuel prices.

Mr Abdullah has said he will leave office in 2010, defying pressure to step down this December.

(Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7508805.stm)


It really amazes me to no end that the government, seeing the rise of a dissenting voice amidst the racism and cronyism of this country, has chose to use force to deal with, rather opting for civil democratic means to attain to the rakyat's growing voice for a more accountable government. Is this seriously how they address the grievences of those who dissagree? To use Gestapo/KGB tactics on them and hope, in them minds of our 'benevoloent' goverment, hope it will go like some bad dream?

Those vainglorious twits need to wake up and smell the coffee! They should have made positive steps to address the problem. It took the Opposotion Parties to magnify the problems of economic and social instabilty which is steadily simmering for the last five decades. But what did they do? Shut them up, of course! Bribe and jail them to worm-like submission. A slap to the face and it's back to the goverment ordained tradition of being a country of walking contradictions.

Yes. You all might say that Anwar was being arrogant for not coming to the station as summoned by the police. Well, I have news for you: He did go to the police station! (" The arrest came shortly before Mr Anwar was due to give a statement to police over the allegations, which he denies." ) It would seem this has been done in a feeble attempt to silence the man, while all the while he is fulfiling the order of law to make a police statement! Tell me if it's a blatant act of defiance against the police if all he did was just to what they exactly told him?!

Another instance of arrogance and dogmatic pride:





Now seriously... hats off to Wan Azizzah for being civil and polite, this in stark contrast to the whole lot of BN people making rude and unkind interruptions as she bravely pleaded to the speaker to reconsider the motion. The Speaker himself is himself a conceited man of the moment, weakly declaring his fear of being considererd the laughing stock of all who has seen this. Perhaps it is true... he is making an ass of himself; choosing to kow-tow to his master as well as his inbred insecurity of being reckoned as the man of the moment.

When will this attitude of dogmatic pride go away from politics? You, the politician are supposed to be subject to the people. Perhaps V (from the comic/ movie V for Vendetta) said it best; People should not fear the government, the government should fear it's people!
After, it is us , that gotten you into power. Consider your position also as a God given chance for you to lead the people. No, it's not a matter of the sheer thrill of being exalted. for you are chosen by God to beiagents of His good and blessing. Do not for one minute think you got this job by the sheer merit of your own labor or connections. YOU HAVE A RESPOSIBILTY. AND IT IS A DIVINE ONE TO BOOT!! Perhaps those sober and humble enough should consider this. Perhaps it would be the perfect time for you to pray to God for perfect wisdom and revelation, rather be influence by personal pride or peer pressure!