January 07, 2012
PETALING JAYA, Jan 7 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has predicted that his possible conviction and imprisonment on January 9 will win Pakatan Rakyat (PR) more voter support, and that Malaysians will rise against a corrupt Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
The PKR de facto leader is charged with sodomising a former aide, something which he has vehemently denied, claiming it is a ploy to destroy his political career.
Anwar speaking at the ceramah in Subang Jaya on January 6, 2012. — Picture by Choo Choy May
“If I enter prison, we get more supporters... Anwar in or out it does not matter, next elections we must win at all cost.
“You can detain that man in prison but the mission will be as strong as ever, in fact stronger,” he told a 2,000-strong crowd at a ceramah in Subang Jaya last night.
Anwar charged that his detractors have run of out of things to accuse him of — they have accused him of being pro-Christian, pluralist, a Jewish agent and a homosexual.
“Don’t threaten me with imprisonment. They have beaten me, they have stripped me.
“(But) if they think by imprisoning me that would be the end of Pakatan, then they are wrong, we have three years of preparation,” he charged, saying that PR leaders were prepared to face “all possible” outcomes.
Anwar told foreign newswire Bloomberg in a recent interview that the PR leadership has identified a successor to take over as opposition leader should he be jailed.
“Based on facts, the law... Anwar must be a free man come Monday, January 9. But we have Umno’s laws,” said a tired-looking but energetic Anwar.
He said he was “committed” to fight for reforms in the country despite receiving offers from several other countries offering him refuge should he be imprisoned.
Many of those at the ceramah last night were PR supporters, and those who spoke to The Malaysian Insider firmly believed in Anwar’s innocence.
“There will always be another Saiful. The first trial, there is now second. No proof to Mohd Saiful Bukhari (Azlan’s) claims.
“Even normal people when they read papers they can tell it don’t make sense,” said a businessman who only wanted to be known as Jit.
Jit said he came to the ceramah to show support for Anwar as well as the Selangor PR government, whom he believes is more effective than the previous BN administration.
“At least we know where our money is going.”
Another attendee, former soldier S.M. Amin, told The Malaysian Insider he drove all the way from Klang with his friends to hear Anwar speak.
“Anwar is a victim of the BN system. That’s why I’m here drove all the way from Klang to show support, to show that the people are behind Anwar, Pakatan,” he said.
He said BN leaders failed to realise that they will eventually have to pay for their sins in the afterlife.
“Of course, he is innocent the people are fed up that’s why they are here... to show Anwar, Pakatan support,” said a 65-year-old man who only wanted to be known as Ali.
Ali believes that the charge against Anwar should be dropped, saying he will turn up at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Monday to support the PR de facto leader.
PKR has announced the Monday assembly in support of Anwar will be held in the parking area outside the High Court in Jalan Duta, saying it has police permission to do so.
PKR deputy president Azmin Ali had announced last Tuesday that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will be amassing over 100,000 people in a show of support for Anwar when the High Court delivers its decision on his Sodomy II trial.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohmad Salleh confirmed the matter during a brief, joint press conference with PKR after their meeting yesterday.
If found guilty, Anwar could spend up to 20 years behind bars but will escape the caning penalty as he is over 60. It would effectively spell the end of his political career and his chance to be prime minister.
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