Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan has expressed regret over Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call for Anwar Ibrahim's immediate release from prison.
He said the former premier chose to “mischievously politicise” a criminal case which has been decided in a court of law.
“I urge Mahathir to respect the court's decision. As a former prime minister, Mahathir should know better. I am the real victim of Anwar's criminal act,” he added in a Facebook post today.
Anwar is currently serving a five-year prison term for sodomising Saiful, who was his former aide.
The PKR de facto leader has maintained that the charge, like the first against him when Mahathir was prime minister, was fabricated by his political rivals.
Meanwhile, Saiful claimed that power and ambition have blinded Mahathir to the facts of the case.
He also recalled his meeting with the former premier in 2014.
“How easily one can forgo the principles and meaning of justice when it serves desperate political objectives.
“In October 2014, Mahathir expressed sympathy towards me as a victim when I visited him at his Yayasan Perdana office, with my wife and newborn son,” he added.
Saiful said that political interests trample justice and truth.
“It's true that in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, just interest,” he added.
Mahathir, who once declared Anwar unfit to lead the nation due to his sexual transgressions, has now described the latter as a prisoner of conscience.
In a joint statement with US human rights lawyer Kimberley Motley yesterday, the former premier urged the authorities to free Anwar in order for him to receive comprehensive medical care.
Sharing his views on the matter, Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi said on Facebook today that Anwar and his supporters can be considered as having “lost their mind” if they believe Mahathir is sincere.
“Mahathir is just acting. He is the U-turn expect. Anwar was imprisoned due to a criminal act after undergoing a lengthy trial which witnessed numerous postponements,” he added.
Puad said Anwar cannot forget what had transpired following Mahathir's decision to sack him as deputy premier, including the infamous “black eye” incident.
He also questioned Mahathir's decision to call for Anwar's release when the latter is scheduled to be freed from prison in several months.
“Why didn't he champion Anwar's release in the early stages? Why now? Certainly because of politics...Mahathir is attempting to politicise (the issue)...,” he added.
- Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.