Saiful’s dad retracts apology to Anwar, says sodomy case was not a plot

(ST) – The father of Mr Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the alleged victim in Mr Anwar Ibrahim’s second sodomy trial, has retracted his apology to the opposition leader, saying his son’s sodomy complaint was not a plot.

Mr Azlan Mohd Lazim said on Wednesday that “certain quarters” had influenced him to apologise to Mr Anwar and say it was a political conspiracy in a closed-door press conference on March 8, The Malaysian Insider reported.

“Today, I retract my apology to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and stress that my son’s sodomy case is true.

“It isn’t a political conspiracy,” he told a press conference here.

Mr Azlan’s retraction comes just four days before polling for the 13th general election, but the 60-year-old said the timing was a mere coincidence and that he had not been coerced by any party.

“I step forward to make the statement voluntarily and am not forced.

“I also was not offered any reward to retract my apology,” he said.

Mr Azlan, who was alone at the hastily-convened news conference, said he realised he had made a mistake and added that his action was bereft of reward.

“After evaluating and rethinking, I admit I made a mistake for apologising to Datuk Seri Anwar.

“I have realised and want to apologise to my whole family especially my son Saiful,” he said, adding that Mr Saiful was aware of today’s news conference and that both father and son had no quarrel with each other.

Mr Azlan said he did not fear being labelled a liar or any negative backlash as a result of his reversal today, adding that people were free to draw their own conclusions.

“It’s up to the people; I don’t mind,” he said.

He also said he will serve written notice of his resignation to Parti Keadilan Rakyat soon.