Anwar loses Sodomy 2 conviction challenge
“To me, this is a backdoor attempt (to secure his release from prison). Sorry I have to say it. If it’s not backdoor attempt, it is a veiled attempt,” said the judge.
(Malaysia Outlook) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lost his legal bid to strike out a second sodomy conviction from his records.
Malay Mail Online reported High Court judge Datuk Nik Hasmat dismissing the de facto PKR leader’s legal challenge against the 2015 conviction and sentence.
The judge called it a “backdoor attempt” to secure his release from prison.
“To me, this is a backdoor attempt. Sorry I have to say it. If it’s not backdoor attempt, it is a veiled attempt,” she said, adding that the Federal Court had previously affirmed the conviction in February 2015 and sentenced him to five years imprisonment.
Anwar is serving a five-year jail term after losing his appeal at the Federal Court on Feb 10, 2015, to set aside his conviction on a charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan in 2008.
Anwar was also ordered to pay M5,000 in cost.
The court ruled that Anwar had failed to name the officer accused of obtaining a conviction against him by fraud.
“There is a need to name the particular officer under the Government Proceedings Act under his statement of claim so the government will be answer the allegation on fraud.”
Nik Hasmat also questioned Anwar’s complaint, adding that he was initially acquitted by the High Court, before the conviction was overturned at the appeals’ stages.
“The alleged fraud was only bought up few years later,” she said.
Anwar said he was disappointed by the decision but “not surprised”, Free Malaysia Today reported.
“I was looking for one judge that has the courage to respect the rule of law, and one avenue to see justice is done.
“Otherwise we wait for GE14,” said Anwar as he was escorted back to court by prison wardens.
