KUALA LUMPUR, July 16(PATC): The “shocking” arrest of former deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could spark instability in the country, Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) treasurer Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli said.
“We’re concerned that that this move could make the public get very angry (with the authority),” Mohd Hatta who is also parliamentary member for Kuala Krai said.
Met outside of a police headquarter here after attempting to see the People Justice Party (PKR) de facto leader, Mohd Hatta said the way the team of some 20 masked special police forces personnel arresting Anwar was, “as if it was a provocation”.
“The way he was arrested was shocking, everybody know that he is going to go to this place anyway before 2pm,” Mohd Hatta said.
Mohd Hatta said the shock of the arrest would be shared by all Malaysians. About an hour after the arrest which happened at about 1pm, some 100 supporters had already gathered at the police headquarter to voice their support for Anwar.
PAS think tank director Dzulkifli Ahmad who was also present at the police headquarter urged the authorities to release Anwar immediately.
“He (Anwar) was given until two (to be present at the police headquarter), clearly they (the police) have gone even against their own word,” Dzulkifli who is also Kuala Selangor parliamentary member said.
“We are disgusted (with this arrest),” he said.
Anwar could be detained for 24 hours or up to 14 days
Dzulkifli said there was no difference whether Anwar’s was detained or “taken in” by the police.
“As far as we are concern he did not go on his own accord to the police headquarter,” he said.
“He’s now arrested, the question is for how long? Is he going to be (release) after questioning or will he be remanded for 14 days. That’s unclear for now,” he said.
Anwar’s counsel Sankara Nair said Anwar was arrested under section 377 of the Penal Code but no mention of the offense “sodomy” was made during the arrest. Sankara said his client could be remanded for 24 hours and up to 14 days upon Court orders.
Sankara also condemned the way the arrest was made saying that the police has used intimidation which was “unnecessary”.
Former parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said the incident was “not a good development at all” and noted that Anwar had agreed to meet the police.
Anwar was given the ultimatum to be at the police headquarter for his statement to be taken at 2pm regarding an allegation by his former aide that he had been sodomised.
/end.
