Dr M: Acquittal proves no conspiracy against Anwar
(The Malaysian Insider) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s acquittal from a sodomy charge proved there was no political conspiracy against his one-time protege.
The former prime minister added that today’s court ruling would also go towards cleansing the image and credibility of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
“Even though I was surprised that he was found innocent this proves there is no conspiracy from before until now,” he told reporters after attending a function in Putrajaya today.
Anwar, 64, had been similarly indicted of sodomy over a decade ago and was found guilty. He spent six years in jail before being exonerated.
In the 1990s Anwar had been groomed to succeed Dr Mahathir until a bitter row between them saw Anwar ousted in 1998.
Anwar has maintained that his prosecution for sodomy was politically-motivated and a plot to kill his political career.
Today’s verdict defied the expectations of political observers and even Anwar, who had alleged that a guilty verdict was predetermined.
