A-G wants longer jail term for Anwar, says report

(The Malaysian Insider) – Saying the five-year jail term meted out on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was a mistake, the Attorney-General’s Chambers is reportedly seeking a longer imprisonment for the opposition leader, Malaysiakini reports.

The news portal, citing documents on grounds of the appeal, reported that the prosecution considers the five-year jail term by the Court of Appeal did not reflect the gravity of the offence and also does not serve as reminder to society.

“The five-year jail term fails to serve the ends of justice from the perspective of public interest.

“The jail term is manifestly inadequate compared to the provisions of 20 years’ jail and rotan (whipping), as stipulated under Section 377B of the Penal Code,” reported Malaysiakini.

The Federal Court is scheduled to hear Anwar’s appeal on his sodomy conviction on October 28 and 29.

On March 7, the Court of Appeal overturned his sodomy acquittal by the High Court two years earlier.

The appellate court found Anwar guilty of sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan 26, at a unit at the Desa Damansara condominium in Bukit Damansara between 3.10pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

Anwar was sentenced to five years’ jail but was granted a stay of execution, pending an appeal to the Federal Court.