Anwar says put through ‘degrading’ medical examination

Anwar Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim testified today that government doctors measured his private parts and pubic hair after he was arrested in July, 2008 in what he said was a “degrading” medical examination.

But he refused the insertion of any instrument into his anus.

He told the High Court today that he was forced by the police to go through the medical examination during his overnight arrest from July 16-17, 2008.

The PKR defacto leader said that police officers had made him go to Hospital Kuala Lumpur at 8pm on July 16 for a medical examination by two doctors — consultant surgeon Dr Jayaindran Sinadorai and consultant physician Dr Ee Boon Leong.

Anwar claimed that the examination was a degrading experience, as he was made to undress, and his private parts were measured.

“After checking my upper part, they asked me to undress, to measure my private parts and measure the length of my pubic hair which was very degrading and they examined my penis and anus.

“There were no insertions of any instrument, as I did not agree to it,” said Anwar.

The 63 year-old politician said that the two doctors informed him that the wanted DNA samples as well as body and hair samples taken from him.

Anwar also answered questions on “alleged sodomy.” He told the court that he had refused to give the hospital any samples upon advice from his lawyers.

“Based on personal experience, I have evidence of samples stolen from HKL in 1998,” said Anwar, referring to his first sodomy case.

The country’s Opposition Leader claimed that he had been held under “deplorable” conditions during his arrest on that day which had affected his health and caused him “excruciating” pain after his release.

Anwar said that while police officers had not caused him any physical harm during his overnight detention at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters, he was treated far worse than any normal prisoner or detainee.

“(Although) there was no physical abuse, I was treated like Botak Chin standards. Was not told of offence, and I was dragged like Al-Qaeda (terrorist),” said Anwar.

The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) defacto said that as a result of his overnight detention, he had to go for medical treatment the next day and received painkiller jabs as he was in pain.

“I don’t expect VIP treatment, but conditions were terrible. I appealed to DSP Yahya that I cannot be made to sleep on cement floor, it’s very cold.

“I could not lean on the walls, because there were steel bars on all four corners.. it was deplorable, atrocious, lavatory was dirty,” he said.

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