Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Federal Court should treat jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim the same regardless of whether supporters rally for him or not.
He said this in response to a question about a planned solidarity rally for Anwar outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya on Wednesday where a review of the PKR de facto leader’s conviction will be heard.
“The law applies equally to everyone. There should be no discrimination to this man or that man.
“If you think he deserved to be released, it’s up to you. It’s the court to decide, if we decide, then it’s unfair,” he told a forum in Petaling Jaya today.
Mahathir then drew the example of a common man in Anwar’s position.
“What happens if another person is in the same situation but doesn’t have the influence that Anwar has? They don’t have demonstrators to come to court.
“What happens if another person is in the same situation but doesn’t have the influence that Anwar has? They don’t have demonstrators to come to court.
“So the sentence would be unfair to this man because he has no supporters. (But if) he has supporters, then they give consideration?
“We accept the equality of law,” said Mahathir.
However, Mahathir said judges can still weigh the case and consider “mercy”.
“Mercy on the part of the judges plays a role,” he said, adding that this is considered for cases of early release.
Anwar was in February last year sentenced to five years in prison for sodomy, a charge he claimed was politically motivated.
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