The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday that it was up to Anwar Ibrahm to swear on the Quran and clear his name.
Will the criminal charge of Sodomy II against Anwar under Section 377B under the Penal Code for consensual sodomy be withdrawn if Anwar swears on the Quran?
If not, what is the point or purpose of Abdullah making such a statement, except to underline his bias and prejudice against Anwar?
Abdullah reiterated that “Saiful was a victim in the issue”.
In one fell swoop, he Prime Minister has again become judge, prosecutor and accuser all in one. If Abdullah is convinced that Saiful is the “victim” in the sodomy charge against Anwar, even before the date for hearing has been fixed, who can expect a fair trial for Anwar?
It is most improper and completely unthinkable that a Prime Minister can make the type of comments prejudicing a fair trial for Anwar, as reported in the Star today:
Ball in Anwar’s court, says Abdullah
BUTTERWORTH: It is up to PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to swear on the Quran and clear his name, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“It is up to him to decide what he wants to do. He should know what is best for him,” he said after meeting Chinese and Malay community leaders here yesterday.
Commenting on Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s declaration at the Federal Territory mosque on Friday that Anwar had sodomised him, he said the manner Saiful took the oath followed Islamic practice and law.
“We must respect a person who seeks justice when he professes that something unlawful was done to him. It is a personal matter and we should not question his sincerity.”
Abdullah reminded the people that Saiful was a victim in the issue.
He said Saiful made a personal decision to swear on the Quran, a move that is not taken lightly by a Muslim.
#1 by yhsiew on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 5:17 pm
Abdurrahman Wahid, the former president of Indonesia and influential leader of Islamic group Nahdlatul Ulama, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim need not swear on the Quran as it is un-Islamic and there is no such requirement under Islamic laws.
Gus Dur, as he is popularly called, also said the recent swearing on the Quran by Anwar’s former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan was un-Islamic. “I challenge anyone to prove the reverse. They better open the law books of Islam.”……………
“I think the accusation of sodomy is wrong. I have known him for 15 years. I believe totally in him,” Gus Dur said at a press conference at PKR headquarters here today……………
Gus Dur said that while his views were personal, they were shared by “many Indonesians”……………
Meanwhile, he poured scorn on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s execution of Islam Hadhari, saying that it lacked honesty and does not condone democracy.
“He acts in one way and says another,” Gus Dur said, adding that Anwar would make a more democratic leader.
http://themalaysianinsider.com.my/index.php/malaysia/7782-gus-dur-swearing-on-quran-is-un-islamic
#2 by kerajaan.rakyat on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 5:18 pm
UMNO PENIPU BANGSA MELAYU.
UMNO CEMARKAN AGAMA ISLAM
UMNO KHIANATI RAKYAT MALAYSIA
UMNO PEMBAWA SIAL DAN KECELAKAAN
UMNO MESTI DIHAPUSKAN BUAT SELAMANYA.
http://www.kerajaanrakyat.com/
#3 by vincent on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 5:23 pm
Don’t call me cheap. I will swear on anything if you give any figure if I feel enough. Such a moron to anyone who believe swearing now a day. Bodowi, you should be smarter then that.
#4 by eloofk on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 5:58 pm
I’m bemused the the PM and his cabinet has been linking politics with religion. Poor Saifool, being manipulated by those so-called politicians, making him swear on the Quran inside a mosque. So now, those in power have been showing no respect for the own religion for their sinful ends. I’m sure that God has already reserved judgement on those who have made a mockery of His name.
#5 by The Enforcer on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 6:26 pm
Oh my! Now Sleepy wants to drag religion into his plot thinking that this his final straw to use religion as a tool.
Hei Sleepy and the GOONS, please leave religion aside and do not tarnish the good name of Islam for the other Muslims (who follow the true teachings of Islam) in the country.
Personal opinion: Four years ago, when “Mr Clean” was chosen as the PM, I thought, now the RAKYAT will see a change.
My oh my, how in the short span of four years has all these change and not only me but the brunt of all RAKYAT is cursing and swearing at these bunch of GOONS who are worst then mamak.
At least the former when the country was down tried to think of ways to get her back on her feet (of course, he also jaga his pocket first). Sleepy and the GOONS not only jaga their own pocket first but make the country into a mess and a laughing stock of the world!
Please follow Musharraf and step down en bloc to save this beautiful country MALAYSIA from further damage!
#6 by KennyGan on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 6:58 pm
The problem is that with all the mainstream media firmly under the control of the ruling party, they think that can get away with all sorts of ridiculous acts but on the other hand the same controlled media doesn’t give any feedback from the people so they keep repeating the same absurdities and treating the rakyat as fools not knowing that they look foolish themselves.
#7 by numbee on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 7:12 pm
What is mister DrM doing commenting instead of retiring?
Does DrM even know about it? how about asking him to swear on the quran as well that he is not involved in the 1988 judiary crisis and for fabricating evidence to frame Anwar?
He should reflect on his own family members before making such comment in local media.
Even if anwar is gay, I do not care as this has got nothing to do with his credibility as a person who can fight against corruption.
Why saiful only swear on the quran on the day before the by election nomination? and someone has proof of him meeting Njb.
http://www.mrsmith2.blogspot.com
You’ll see DrM’s true colours if you visit this blog and watch all 7 videos.
The world is watching. and malaysian politics is like a circus and joke around the world.
can someone please step up and do something? the first step to go about is to VOTE for pakatan rakyat and ensure they keep the parliment permatang pauh sit.
The reason why drM is still making comments is cos he is soooo afraid that Anwar will be prime minister and put him behind bars. If he has got nothing to hide, why is he telling people that if anwar bcomes the next PM he will migrate? is he THAT afraid of anwar????
tsk tsk tsk
#8 by Bobster on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 7:14 pm
Saiful sumpah sounds more like SAMPAH to average Malaysians. Look at his attitude, body language and read his blog you will understand why. Victim does not act like arrogant little-king-in-the-making.
AAB shameful Mr PM waiting to be brought down by the rakyat.
What happen to Lingam case? 1-2 yrs still not settle?
Anwar case, settle within 1 mth.
This is how this idiotic gomen works. BIG STICKY SHAME BN!
#9 by mohrafael on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 8:03 pm
Good news, Malaysian government can do without courts, lawyers, police etc, as accused can just be asked to swear on Quran if he has done a wrong or not. this is a cartoon government. my friends abroad are laughing at Malaysian very own Mr Bean ….
#10 by undergrad2 on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 8:07 pm
Jeffrey,
There is no need to take us through such a painful analysis.
Politics is about perception. If Anwar is perceived to be hiding something by not agreeing to go through the same religious ceremony, by withholding the truth or by being less than honest, then he is in troubled waters.
Bloggers should cease commenting on the sodomy issue because that is what UMNO political strategists, pundits and pinheads and propagandists want you to do. What is relevant is the state of the economy and how it is being mismanaged, the abuses etc. and the fact that the constituents of Permatang Pauh and their children and their children’s children are being forced to shoulder the consequences of the abuse by these UMNO/BN leaders.
Anwar and Pakatan offers the kind of change we can believe in. Such corrupt politicians must be stopped and stopped now – not a day longer!
#11 by undergrad2 on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 8:14 pm
“This is a cartoon government. My friends abroad are laughing at Malaysian very own Mr Bean ….”
Don’t insult Rowan Atkinson. He has an electrical engineering degree from Newcastle and a Master’s degree from Oxford. What has our PM got to show – but a miserable first degree in Malay studies?
#12 by undergrad2 on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 8:14 pm
…from a third world country at that!
#13 by Loyal Malaysian on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 8:38 pm
It is statements like this that shows the nation will be better off the sooner Badawi steps down.
He has shown, time and again that he has not the calibre to lead our nation to a better future.
Getting mired in political conspiracy what with his supposedly religous background is really most unbecoming of him.
#14 by cancan on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 9:33 pm
The mother of all lies or The father of all truths
Link: http://www.kingsmary.blogspot.com/
#15 by vsp on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 10:07 pm
Never in the history of our judicial system for the past 50 years, whether civil or syariah, has there been any judgement that was based on the swearing of the holy book. Even in Islam there was no mention of establishing one’s innocence through the swearing on the holy book. But Islam do enjoin that if anyone is to accuse someone else he must produce four witnesses. Figuratively, this means that the person must be very very sure of his accusation as if he had four witnesses available. Badawi has usurped the powers of the court and the constitution by insisting that one can become innocent by just swearing on the koran. There is nothing written in our constitution or in our judicial books that swearing on the koran to establish one’s innocence is the law. Therefore what Badawi is insisting on is unconstitutional. Yesterday he has already issued a fiat that ALL parties should leave Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan alone following the latter’s swearing upon a Quran on Friday that he was sodomised by Anwar Ibrahim. This is a very dangerous thing and this Islam Hadhari’s teaching is slowly creeping into our judicial system.
When Najib sweared on the koran that he had nothing to do with the murder of the Mongolian beauty, he has literally avoided accepted criminal procedure by going through the court. He was protected by the police, the AG and Badawi so much so that any new evidence that arose were totally suppressed. Now this Saiful swearing is the second precedence to have the total consent of the BN government. Are these precedence to be used by the BN criminals when Anwar becomes the prime minister and they can swear on the koran to establish their innocence since precedence has been set?
Therefore, LKS, since this is illegal and unconstitutional I suggest that you bring this matter up during the Parliament sitting and ask Badawi whether he will abolish the Courts, both civil and syariah and retire all the judges since now they are redundant under this Islam Hadhari religion that swearing on the koran is the law. And also appeal to the Agong to sack Badawi because what he is doing is against Islam, the Constitution and the judicial system.
#16 by donplaypuks on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 10:10 pm
Was the PM present at the scene of the alleged crime or is he privy to something no one else knows?
By openly supporting Saiful, the PM is making nonsense of our Constitution and Judicial System, as well as being in open contempt of Court in a case in which a person has been charged in Court.
Any accused is INNOCENT until and unless he is convicted in a Court. Mere accusation does not mean the accuser has greater rights than the accused. This is what our CONSTITUTION says!
The position taken by the PM is totally wrong and is sufficient grounds for the Judge to dismiss the case against DSAI as his right to a fair trial has been irretrievably compromised by the PM, saiful by swearing in public on the Koran when he will have to swear in Court later, his lawyers and the police who all should know better what the responsible conduct the law DEMANDS!!
Chief Justice and Agung of Malaysia, please take note.
htp://donplaypuks.blogspot.com
#17 by Jimm on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 11:06 pm
We have to bring back plenty of old cases that required swearing on Quran to verify the decision …… VKL case involved our Malay MP , will he too be called to make the swearing that he is not involved and VKL is drunk and talking c@#*^k over his hphone.
#18 by sirrganass on Monday, 18 August 2008 - 11:28 pm
All non-muslim pls be warned here that what BODOWI and SaiFOOL are doing IS NOT IN LINE with actual Islamic teaching. Condemn them as much as you want because it won’t hurt us (I am a MUSLIM). Go ahead say anything freely if those UMNOPutras implement all those funny ISLAM “HAD-HARI” teachings. But!!! Hold on!
But pls don’t condemn the real ISLAMIC TEACHING because it will become very dangerous for all of us.
Which Islamic teaching is right? Ask your own partners: TG Nik Aziz and TG Hadi Awang etc. These people don’t create new religion and will not change the teaching – in fact they will “follow the book quite STRICTLY”.
Of course you may not like a bit here and there about the Islamic Teachings and you are not going to follow it (of course it is ok if you don’t follow it) but we just have to respect other people’s spiritual believe. If we want to push forward the right ISLAMIC teaching, we have to take it patiently. But if UMNOPutra’s funny Islam Hadhari practices are put on the table, then… if it is obviously funny and nonsense, voice it out!!!
So many established ulamaks have confirmed that this saifool’s case and the way Bodowi goes about it is NOT ISLAMIC!!! So, Keep on writing!!! PAS ulamaks and PKR Muslims will not scold you for this. For funny cases like this only; ok – go ahead.
Thanks a lot because you people have been very polite here in using the term “QURAN”, “ALLAH” etc which are very holy to us. Pls be carefull and be honest in using those holy names. We muslim that have been reading this blog have so far feel it is ok. Some other muslim may feel a bit unconfortable with all your writings here but i personnal feel that’s ok. After all, we have no other way to tell Bodowi that he is wrong because he looks sleepy and tired and he is currently busy with Saifool case. This is our only outlet to voice our right!
HIDUP PR!!!
#19 by Rocky on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 12:56 am
Jeffrey,
Please keep writing those detailed analysis. some of us actually find it very interesting read and thank you for it. But you can’t please everyone.
#20 by limkamput on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 1:49 am
Undergrad2, let me praise you again. You should be PR advisor on blogger affair although I don’t quite like you personally.
#21 by IloveDAPforever on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 2:09 am
Sleepyhead Bodohwi, Senile Mahathir, Najis, Kerismuddin, AP Rafidah, the richest unemployed son-in-law and their whole corrupted gang should be the ones to swear first to prove that they have never betrayed the people, & are clean before they are even fit to challenge Anwar Ibrahim to swear before the Quran.
This whole swearing thing should backfire on them & make a mockery of their seemingly brilliant tactic at pinning down TSAI!!
#22 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 8:41 am
Okay, I am going to swear…
@@@!!!!###&&&$$$%%%%&&&***$$$###@@@!!!!!!!!
#23 by taiking on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 8:52 am
Looking at the development of events surrounding saiful and anwar a thought struck me.
Charging anwar is a no brainer in the circumstances. But charging anwar they must for political reasons. And the problem they would have to face is that any which way the case turns, UMNO would still end up holding the losing end of the string.
If he is acquitted, the opposition and the people would be vindicated. If he is convicted, the people being absolutely distrustful of UMNO would say that it is a political prosecution. The sodomy case against anwar 10 years ago was a good lesson for them. It did not kill him politically. Quite the contrary. It gave him a higher platform from which he could stand and address the people. So they know that convicting anwar too would not be in their interest politically.
Hence it is no big wonder for them to frame a charge for consensual sodomy. The trick could be so that anwar would get away on technical grounds. That would then leave the merit of the claim by saiful unheard and so the question whether or not anwar sodomised him would remain unanswered and unresolved.
In other words, instead of convicting him and locking him up – an act which is bound to backfire – they decided do the next best thing i.e. to capitalise on the unresolved and unanswered claim by saiful.
This they would do by playing up the swearing by saiful on the koran. They would knock this piece of fact into the heads of simple muslim folks and hope that in their heads it would stand as the true answer to the unanswered sodomy claim.
Could this be possible? Any views?
If it is possible, then any opinion of counter-measures by anwar?
#24 by Bobster on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 11:23 am
BN has corrupted to the core and turning this country to:-
1. Sumpah becomes SAMPAH
2. Murderer becomes free man
3. Innocent becomes the accused and jailed
4. Police (some) becomes … everybody knows
5. Court house becomes Cock house
6. Parliament becomes Pasarmalam
Cukuplah, masih tidur lagi ke.
Rakyat cukup bosan sama SAMPAH NATIONAL. Even mak rempit get a better respect.
Time to change! REFORMASI!
#25 by cheng on on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 11:27 am
“IloveDAPforever Says:
Today at 02: 09.47 (9 hours ago)
Sleepyhead Bodohwi, Senile Mahathir, Najis, Kerismuddin, AP Rafidah, the richest unemployed son-in-law and their whole corrupted gang…….”
They must also make a stat. declaration too !
One thing, why that old TDM, no go to do Haj yet?
#26 by For Malaysia on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 12:18 pm
Truly, after what we are seeing and hearing now there is a dire need that we need fresh ideas and fresh people to bring about the desired change needed for this beloved country. We cannot have a all-in-one country head. We cannot have a certain community who is above the law and are untouchables. We have seen it far too long – over a half century already. We cannot have hastily made Bills that will protect the untouchables and promote anarchy in the long run?. Isn’t that smacked of how the English Laws were created long long time ago? Are we heading there, the 15th or 16th century, where the Englishmen were before, when it is now the 21st century? To me this is enough to show that the horses in there are already tired. They cannot run anymore. We need new horses to take us where we want to be in the years ahead.
#27 by IloveDAPforever on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 2:23 pm
I believe many will definitely agree with ; For Malaysia says.. fresh people to bring about the desired change needed for this beloved country .. run by extremists. As from events of late, protests by Uitm, at Bar Council’s forum, the racist teacher getting away scot free & many more have clearly shown that a certain community is above the law and are untouchables.
Any right & moderate thinking countrymen from that certain community would honestly agree that things have gone too far and other minor communities feelings & rights should also be considered.
Only a fresh change by the people’s govt via Pakatan will bring hope for a more just & better future for all!
#28 by PHUAKL on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 2:48 pm
Hi Undergrad2
I believe that the PM has an undergrad degree in Islamic Studies
(not Malay studies). Anwar Ibrahim has an undergrad degree in Malay Studies.
I’ve also read elsewhere that PM failed introductory economics and introductory statistics while in the university. But unsure if these claims are true. Can anyone verify these claims?
Phua Kai Lit
#29 by newchief on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 3:52 pm
to phua kai lit.
whatever certificate PM holds, it’s out-dated. Its like having a master degree in economics but the present job is a mechanic. thus , does tis certificate proof relevant to the job? not so-leh.
however, bodowi, najib, shahrir, shaberry, ezam, khairy,pairin, vk liew,koh su khoon, sammy vellu, hamid, syaitan saiful , VC of UiTM & his moron students should be given standing ovation to getting certificates like LIAR,TALK & PREACH NONSENSE, MISMANAGEMENT,RACISM, ANGKAT KAKI & many more which they deserve at AUTO .
#30 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 8:28 pm
Phua,
There is the Arts Faculty and most Malay undergrads of his time opted for ‘Malay and Islamic’ studies. I believe it is one of the departments in the Arts Faculty.
#31 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 8:34 pm
Abdullah failed his Introductory Statistics paper (not sure if that was the name by which it was referred to then), a first year paper for undergrads in the Arts Faculty and for those likely to opt for Economics as their major in the second and final years.
When the FEA was formed, it was still a first year paper in Economics and Public Administration. Students needed to pass this paper with at least Grade C to major in Applied and Analytical Economics and Business Administration.
#32 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 8:36 pm
Not sure about Accountancy and Rural Economics.
#33 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 - 8:55 pm
limkamput Says:
Today at 01: 49.06 (18 hours ago)
“Undergrad2, let me praise you again. You should be PR advisor on blogger affair although I don’t quite like you personally.”
I’m not looking for popularity or praise. Why should anybody who goes by a fictitious handle be looking for popularity? I do not run a blog of my own with a picture of me. I have no reputation to protect – zilch but everything to contribute. I’m just a private citizen who wants his say in the political process, someone who looks on ‘freedom, equality and justice for all’ not as mere slogans but thresholds for us to achieve high though they may be.
Your ‘dislike for me’ (to quote you) is proof that I’m contributing and doing so in a positive way. I’m happy to note! You may read that statement any which way it pleases or not pleases you. This is a free country. At least that’s what I’d like to believe my country still is despite signs to the contrary.
#34 by Loh on Sunday, 24 August 2008 - 12:17 am
It would be interesting to speculate why some Muslims would be willing to swear on the Koran.
A person who swears on the Koran gives the impression that he was telling the truth. But only God knows whether he told the truth or not.
Even if one believes that telling lies on koran would bring him bad recompense, he might still do it because the problems he face now might be more unbearable than after death, as he believes, and there exists a possibility that he might be ‘pardoned’ if he could make merits in the future.
If the person does not believe the impact of swearing untruth, whatever he says would not bother him one bit. It would be the easiest way of getting out of trouble. Morever the sin of telling lies on the Koran might not be more serious than others commiting crimes for lesser returns.
It is not possible to know whether one values his wellbeings more in life than in the afterlife. It is therefore impossible to judge whether the person who swears on the Koran is telling the truth.
Malaysia practices rule of law, though the UMNO government makes it rule by law. Judgements are decided at the court. Swearing in the mosques removes all troubles for those who are connected with the power, or those in power himself. The others would still have to depend on the outcome of court cases. Why should they bother God with swearing?