'Shafee's appointment is continued persecution'

Lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah’s appointment to lead the prosecution team against PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim in the Sodomy II appeal is a continuation of his political victimisation, said the party’s vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

“We have been victims of political persecution for a long time, but we have to respect the judge’s decision. We need to fight and do the best for our defence.

“He (Shafee,right) is known to be the prime minister and his wife’s lawyer, and was also present when Saiful Bukhari (complainant in the Sodomy II trial) went to the prime minister’s residence and complained to him.

“I think these facts speak for themselves but I will respect the court’s decision,” she told Malaysiakini.

She said this when met after she launched PKR’s training centre, Centre for Reform, Democracy & Social Initiatives (Reformasi).

Anwar had previously applied to the Court of Appeal to bar Shafee from leading the prosecution team, but to no avail, and will appeal the decision at the Federal Court.

Earlier today at the launch, Anwar said Reformasi was not about him, but a manifestation of the people’s rejection of unjust systems.

“Some say that Reformasi is about an individual but it is not true. People were holding banners while I was resting in Sungai Buloh (prison).

“The people’s voice is hallowed, and it means there is an awareness to reject systems and oppression and cruelty,” he said in his launching speech.