Don’t pressure the courts, Dr M tells Anwar supporters

(MMO) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s supporters should not seek to sway the judiciary ahead of the review of his second sodomy conviction, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister said the court must arrive at its decision without considering the popularity of the individual before it.

“Everyone should be equal before the law. What if tomorrow we have someone who faces the same situation, (but) who does not enjoy public support like Anwar?” Dr Mahathir said during the Malaysian Freedom Summit here today.

He was responding to a question from the audience on what actions the public could take ahead of Anwar’s sodomy review application, which is due to be heard next Wednesday.

Anwar was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in February 2015 after being convicted of sodomising a former aide.

“The quality of mercy is very important. If the person has gone through enough punishment already, then the judges have to decide,” he said.

“The court has to decide (on this matter),” he added.

PKR is planning a rally outside the Palace of Justice on Wednesday when the Federal Court will review Anwar’s second sodomy case.

Dr Mahathir sacked Anwar as his deputy prime minister in 1998 over sodomy allegations then, and the pair had since then never met until a recent meeting when Dr Mahathir attended one of Anwar’s court hearings.

Anwar’s PKR and Dr Mahathir’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) are both attempting to form a grand coalition of opposition parties to take on Barisan Nasional in the next general election.