Suspend Anwar as opposition chief, says Ibrahim Ali
(The Malaysian Insider) – Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali backed today the call for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be suspended from leading the Opposition bench in the Dewan Rakyat until the sex scandals linked to the latter have been cleared in a court of law.
“As MP, I support 101 per cent Datuk Seri Rais Yatim’s suggestion for the Opposition Leader position held by Anwar to be suspended until the sex video allegation and his sodomy trial against Saiful are over,” the independent federal lawmaker said in a statement.
Ibrahim added it was in line with the law on public service principles and practice but did not cite the source.
The suspension idea was mooted yesterday by Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, referring to the controversial sex video supposedly showing the PKR adviser fornicating with a woman not his wife.
Rais said the Permatang Pauh MP could be reinstated should the court rule in his favour.
“National and international laws too have acknowledged the practice of letting go positions pending the indictment or charge against a person,” Umno’s Utusan Malaysia reported the veteran minister as saying.
Rais highlighted the case of the former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who was forced to quit his job there on May 18 after being indicted of sexual assault and attempted rape charges in the US and drew parallels to Anwar’s situation.
“Several of our ministers and mentris besar have also let go of their positions in the course of criminal trials against them,” Rais was cited saying.
The Attorney-General has yet to bring any formal charges against Anwar.
Ibrahim insinuated the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lynchpin was above the law.
