Anwar case: Police ‘won't act before DNA Bill is passed’

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is unlikely to be arrested until a new DNA Bill is passed in Parliament later this month, according to influential daily Nanyang Siang Pau on Sunday.

Speculation had been rife that Anwar would be arrested and charged with sodomy last week, after it was reported that police investigations were complete. But nothing has materialised.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the investigation papers were being handled by Solicitor-General Datuk Idrus Harun.

The cautious move not to arrest Anwar suggested that the police were treading carefully. Quoting unnamed sources, Nanyang said the police had gathered enough evidence, but still lacked the DNA sample.

The police could not be contacted on Sunday for comment.

Anwar, accused of sodomy by his 23-year-old former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan, has refused to give his DNA sample on fears that it could be manipulated.

Under current laws, the police cannot force anyone to give a blood sample. That will change once the DNA Identification Bill is passed. The Bill makes it illegal for anyone to refuse DNA testing in criminal cases.

It was initially expected to be tabled in December, but Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said last month that the ministry will try to table the Bill this month.

This resulted in the government having to deflect accusations that it was fast-tracking the Bill in order to nail Anwar. Officials said the police had wanted the Bill tabled since last year, as a DNA data bank would help solve cases.

Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat, remains unconvinced of the Bill's urgency.

“I don't see why it's so urgent to push through this law. Even if the police has the law behind them, it's obvious they're rushing it to go after one man,” he told The Straits Times yesterday.

Nanyang also reported that the police will not move against Anwar while he is contesting the by-election in Permatang Pauh, so that they will not be accused of not allowing a fair contest.

However, the newspaper noted that if the former deputy premier is convicted of the charges after becoming an MP, he will lose his post.

-TMI