[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 10 Sep 1999
Time: 18:44:46
Remote User: -
Anwar hospitalised as arsenic poisoning alleged
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (AFP) - Malaysia's jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim was hospitalised Friday amid allegations he was suffering from arsenic poisoning and was possibly the victim of attempted murder. The allegations by Anwar's lawyers prompted a heated courtoom exchange before his sodomy trial was adjourned.
After making a police statement, the former deputy prime minister and finance minister was taken to the National University Hospital where he was seen being examined by a doctor in an isolated ward.
Defence counsel Karpal Singh told the High Court earlier Friday a specimen of Anwar's urine was obtained in mid-August and sent to Australia. The pathologist's report found "arsenic levels beyond danger", he said.
Asked by Judge Arifin Jaka how he was feeling, Anwar told the court he was "certainly not my usual self" and was suffering from hair loss.
In a statement made to police and later released by his wife, Anwar said the level of arsenic was 77 times the normal level and he was also suffering from weight loss, numbness and dry skin.
He called for assurances a detailed investigation would be carried out. "It is a heinous crime and maybe a murder attempt," he said.
In the first official reaction to Anwar's arsenic allegations, Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahamad Badawi late Friday said he had ordered an urgent investigation.
"I have informed the officers concerned to initiate an investigation to probe the allegations hurled against the government," Home Minister Abdullah was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.
Karpal said the medical report was "significant" given Anwar had been beaten up by Malaysia's then police chief after he was handcuffed and blindfolded on the night of his arrest on September 20 last year.
"It could well be that someone out there wants to get rid of him. It would be a shame if the conspiracy we have been referring to should include murder," he said, alluding to Anwar's repeated accusations of a political conspiracy.
"I suspect some people in high places are in all likelihood responsible for the situation."
But Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah, the chief prosecutor, said such allegations were premature and implied Anwar's family might be responsible.
"I caution my learned friend not to jump the gun," he said, adding he had seen Anwar "consume drinks and food in this very court room".
When Anwar said the drinks and food had been brought by his wife, Mohtar said: "If evidence shows that there is deliberate poisoning, as public prosecutor I will leave no stone unturned.
"Anwar has been allowed by prison authorities to move around and mingle with his family and friends," he said.
In an angry outburst, Anwar banged his fist on the dock and shouted: "I'm talking about poison and he's talking about prison regulations."
Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail later told reporters she was "alarmed and very frightened" by the allegations and dismissed Mohtar's suggestion.
"How could anybody think about that at a time like this, that the family could be the cause of this or even have the thought of poisoning him?" she asked.
Azizah, who heads a newly-formed opposition party, received support from other opposition leaders.
"A year ago, any suggestion of arsenic poisoning of a prisoner -- particularly one who had held as high a post as deputy prime minister -- would have been unthinkable," Democratic Action Party leader Lim Kit Siang said.
"But so many incredible things have transpired in the past 12 months," he said, adding Malaysia's state institutions had been "so subverted and compromised that such a suggestion is no more unthinkable".
Mahfuz Omar, head of the youth wing of Parti Islam Semalaysia (PAS), denounced what he described as "the second murder attempt on Anwar Ibrahim" and called for the Malaysian king to intervene.
Human rights group Aliran said in a separate statement Mohtar "should not be involved in any investigations to unravel the poison mystery".
Anwar, who was fired by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on September 2 last year, was sentenced to six years jail in April after being found guilty of abusing his position to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct.
He faces a further sentence of up to 20 years if convicted of sodomy in his second trial, which began in July.