Anwar is ‘Male Y’, says prosecutor

Anwar had refused to provide a DNA sample. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 — The “Male Y” DNA profile found in samples from Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s anus belongs to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the High Court here heard today.

Lead prosecutor Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden said the DNA samples taken from three items in a cell where Anwar spent the night in on July 16, 2008 matched with the “Male Y” DNA profile.

“It confirms the unknown contributor Male Y is Datuk Seri Anwar. This shows there is a prima facie case,” he said in his submissions on whether Anwar should be called to enter his defence in the Sodomy II trial

Yusof also said Anwar was the sole detainee in the lockup at the time when the items — a “good morning” towel, toothbrush and mineral water bottle — were retrieved.

Chemist Dr Nor Aidora Saedon and Supt Amidon Anan were called earlier this month to identify the items to be marked as exhibits.

Government scientist Dr Seah Lay Hong testified last month that she had found two unknown male DNA profiles from samples retrieved from around Saiful’s anus, one of which she had earlier called “Male Y”.

Anwar had refused to provide DNA samples in his first sodomy trial in 1998 for fear they could be manipulated.

Former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim also claimed last January that DNA evidence was fabricated in Anwar’s first sodomy trial.

The DNA Identification Act 2008 was passed to compel suspects to provide DNA samples, despite protests from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers.

Anwar, the 63-year-old PKR de facto leader, is currently facing sodomy charges for the second time in his life.

He has denied the charge, describing it as “evil, frivolous lies by those in power” when the charge was read out to him. He is charged under section 377B of the Penal Code and can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction.

The trial began 18 months after Anwar was charged in court in August 2008.

He was charged with sodomy and corruption in 1998 after he was sacked from the Cabinet and was later convicted and jailed for both offences.

He was freed in September 2004 and later resurrected his political career by winning back his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in a by-election in 2008, which had been held in the interim by his wife.

He led the loose pact of PKR, DAP and PAS to a historic sweep of five states and 82 parliamentary seats in Election 2008.

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