Saiful, father’s Sodomy II tiff won’t alter GE13 results, say analysts
Zurairi AR, TMI
The political conspiracy claims by Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s father about his son’s sodomy complaint against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will have little impact on the general election and will be eclipsed by other issues, say analysts.
Questions also have been raised over the timing of Azlan Mohd Lazim’s revelation on Friday describing an “evil conspiracy” behind the opposition leader’s second sodomy charge, and his subsequent apology to Anwar’s family.
“I suppose it’s all related to the election, even Saiful’s father is willing to come out and speak up,” Merdeka Center for Opinion Research director Ibrahim Suffian told The Malaysian Insider.
“It (happened) before the elections, so that there will be more time (for the issue) to be discussed prior to the campaigning period.”
Ibrahim expressed dismay that the ugly issue has once again reared its head, which will further sensationalise the political scene in the country.
He suggested that PKR had the most to gain, as Azlan’s (picture) revelation appeared to implicate the country’s leadership, by linking the Prime Minister’s Office and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail in the conspiracy.
“Anwar has been accused in the past, but the statement by Saiful’s father changes how the storyline goes so far,” said Ibrahim, who run’s the widely respected polling agency.
“It further points to the impression that Anwar is innocent,” he added.
Anwar’s acquittal last year has also factored in support for his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact and that most Malaysians generally viewed the prosecution with some scepticism.
PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had also said over the weekend that Anwar’s reputation was getting cleaner by the day following the latest revelations.
“Lies will one day be revealed … It’s impossible for Anwar to pay Saiful’s father off, especially when Cabinet ministers earn much more than Anwar,” Nik Aziz was quoted in the Saturday editon of the Malay-language daily Sinar Harian.
UiTM political science lecturer Asri Salleh conceded that the issue could be played up by both Barisan Nasional (BN) and PR, as both sides could potentially lose or gain ground from the issue.
“This issue will not last long. Kejap je panas (It’s a hot issue for just a short time),” Asri told The Malaysian Insider.
