Investigations will not be dropped, says Syed Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR: Investigations into Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's sodomy allegations against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not be dropped. "He has not been charged yet. What are we supposed to drop? This is not a media court," said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He was commenting on Anwar's call that the sodomy investigations be dropped after a medical report from Hospital Pusrawi surfaced on Monday, stating that Mohd Saiful needed to be re-examined at a government hospital "to rule out" sodomy.

It was revealed that on June 28, the day Mohd Saiful lodged the police report alleging that he had been sodomised by Anwar, he had visited two hospitals.

He went to Hospital Pusrawi where he was checked by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid.
Mohd Saiful was referred to a government hospital after the doctor learnt that he planned to lodge a police report.

The full medical report from Hospital Pusrawi was published in two online news portals on Monday, following which, Anwar demanded that the case against him be dropped.

Syed Hamid, however, said investigations had to be completed and the investigation papers handed to the prosecutor before a decision was made whether or not to charge Anwar.

"Evidence is a chain. It is not one single piece upon which you make your decision.

"Why doesn't he (Anwar) go to the police and cooperate?" asked Syed Hamid, referring to Anwar's refusal to give his blood sample for DNA tests.

"If there is a charge, it will be in the court of law. This is due process," said Syed Hamid at a press conference held after delivering the keynote address at the International Conference on the Representation of Islam and Muslims in the Media.

Asked if police had deliberately concealed the report, Syed Hamid countered by asking if there was any country in the world where evidence in an investigation was given to the media before the case went to court.

"How can you ask about something that has not even gone to court yet?

"It should be in perspective. Let the police conduct the investigations and let the Attorney-General's Chambers decide if there is a case.

"If there is, the defence has the right to rebut whatever evidence is brought by the prosecutor."

Syed Hamid also brushed off suggestions that the leaked medical report had increased public support for Anwar and intensified speculation that the case was an attempt to frame the former deputy prime minister.

"I personally feel it would be irrational of the government to create a case of this nature, at this time, against such a person.

"It is an investigation and if there is a complainant, regardless of whether he is a famous person or an ordinary man, his complaint has to be investigated."

He also denied allegations that police were dragging their feet over investigations and said they could not be blamed for being cautious, considering the case involved a prominent person.

Syed Hamid added that Anwar was looking at the political dimensions of the case instead of its legal aspects.

"He is playing to the gallery. He wants to take the first step as it would make us look as if we are in the wrong," he said.

On the leaked medical report, Syed Hamid said the medical fraternity had to take action.

"Otherwise patients will not trust doctors. This is dangerous," the home minister added.

-NST Online