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Jailed Anwar might seek bail again amid poisoning claims

Date: 12 Sep 1999
Time: 23:26:05
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Jailed Anwar might seek bail again amid poisoning claims

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (AFP) - Defence lawyers said Sunday they might reapply for bail for jailed Malaysian ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, who has been hospitalised following claims he was poisoned with arsenic. A defence counsel who requested anonymity said Anwar has been placed in a tightly-guarded executive ward at the National University Hospital outside the capital, where he is undergoing preliminary tests.

"Seeking bail is the next logical step but there are a lot of other factors. We will consult our client first and wait for the results of the medical tests," he told AFP.

"He is still subjected to prison rules in the hospital. We do not know how long he will be there. This is not as simple as it seems," he added.

Another lawyer Karpal Singh has told reporters Anwar, who said he was suffering from weight loss, numbness and dehydrated skin, was in good spirits but urged the government to allow foreign experts to treat him.

Anwar was admitted to hospital Friday after his lawyers told his ongoing sodomy trial that traces of arsenic 77 times the normal level were found in a sample of his urine tested in Australia under an assumed name.

Defence lawyers alleged the poisoning was part of a conspiracy by those in "high places" to destroy Anwar, who himself described it as an "attempted murder."

Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik said Sunday the murder allegation was serious and would be given the "fullest attention."

"(Investigation) must quickly be undertaken because we must get to the root of it. I don't believe any member of the cabinet would ever even think of trying to poison Anwar," Ling reportedly said.

A senior government official added Anwar's "murder cry" shocked many top politicians.

"But it can be seen as trying to attract attention and reignite public interest as election is around the corner," he said. Malaysia's general election is due next June but widely expected to be called before then.

The National Justice Movement (Keadilan), headed by Anwar's wife, has meanwhile urged the high court to grant bail on grounds that "Anwar's life is in mortal danger."

"Keadilan hopes he can remain in the safety of his home while his present trial continues and while waiting to hear his appeal against his earlier sentence," the party said in a weekend statement.

Anwar has been denied bail several times since he was sacked and arrested last September amid a fall-out with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad over economic policies. He was sentenced to six years' jail in April for abusing his power to cover-up allegations of sexual misconduct.

Mahathir himself has dismissed fears of a murder plot against Anwar, saying it was not in Malaysia's culture to kill for political reasons.

Other cabinet ministers have also questioned the timing of the disclosure, charging it could be a stunt designed to coincide with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in New Zealand.

But Anwar's wife Sunday accused the government of trying to "manipulate and divert public attention from the truth."

Wan Azizah said there was no deliberate attempt to delay the release of the urine test results which she received on September 8, and disclosed the next day.

Keadilan, backed by opposition and human rights groups, have also rejected a government-ordered probe into the poison claims and called for a royal commission of inquiry to be set up.

The new twist brought Anwar's sodomy trial, which began in June, to an abrupt halt and sparked a rally by his supporters over the weekend.

Seven men, aged between 20 and 40, were arrested during the Saturday protest in the city for illegal assembly and assaulting a police officer, the New Sunday Times reported.

The latest saga also comes ahead of the four-day Commonwealth Law Conference, that will bring hundreds of jurists to the Malaysian capital.

Mahathir will Monday open the event, expected to throw the spotlight on Malaysia's judiciary which has come under fire over Anwar's trials and the weekend jailing of a Canadian journalist for contempt of court.

At least four of Anwar's lawyers are scheduled to present papers on issues ranging from human rights, the rule of law and criminal justice.


Last changed: September 12, 1999