‘Anwar must give his DNA’

(The Star) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should give his DNA sample, which can help him prove his innocence, said Kita president Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

He said doing so would also boost Anwar’s credibility as the public would find it hard to accept a leader who refused to furnish “facts that can clear his name”.

Zaid said public opinion and sympathy were still vital factors to a leader’s popularity.

“They are still the most important factors for a politician like Anwar aspiring to be in Putrajaya.

“That is why I believe he should submit the samples requested by the prosecution,” he said yesterday.

On Friday, Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden applied for the court to compel Anwar, under the Evidence Act, to provide his DNA for profiling.

Zaid said technical reasons could be furnished by lawyers Anwar engaged but only his courage to deal with the truth could protect him.

“He has maintained that he is innocent and if true, his innocence will be proven and he will once again be able to build on his image as a leader who had been unjustly treated.

“Why should he be unwilling to volunteer facts that can clear his name. This will be difficult for the majority of the rakyat to swallow,” he said.

Zaid said that in Sodomy I, the Federal Court had acquitted Anwar despite the damaging testimonies delivered during the trial.

“So Anwar got the public sympathy and his black eye experience helped him tremendously.

“Regardless of the verdict and the evidence given, it was clear in 1998 that the public was willing to accept Anwar as a victim and there were strong grounds for that belief as well,” he said.

He added that in Sodomy II, Anwar’s continued refusal to surrender his DNA samples could lead to a disappointed public and an eventual dip in support for the Opposition Leader.