HomeNewsBeritaBusinessLifestyleOpinionWorldSportsPropertyEducationCarzillaGalleryVideosAccelerator

No surprise in court ruling, says DAP lawmaker

-

Charles Santiago says sodomy and misuse of power charges against Anwar Ibrahim were crafted to prematurely end his political career.

0
Shares
Total Views: 1
charles-santiago

PETALING JAYA:
A DAP lawmaker has called the decision by the Federal Court to reject Anwar Ibrahim’s case review today as something that is not “a complete surprise”.

Klang MP Charles Santiago said it was just the latest among many other forms of action taken against the former opposition leader, who has already suffered greatly.

“Anwar has already lost his parliamentary seat and will be barred from running for office for five years after being discharged.

“He may be released from prison after serving two-thirds of his five-year jail term, which started in February 2015, on the grounds of good behaviour. But to the outside world, Anwar remains a prisoner of conscience,” Santiago said.

He alleged that Anwar’s continued incarceration was “to pave the way for others to remain in power”.

Santiago also referred to previous and current charges against Anwar as a means to end his political career.

“It’s anyone’s guess that the sodomy charges twice over and charges of misuse of power against Anwar were crafted to prematurely end his political career,” he said, referring to the allegations which were first brought up by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad upon sacking Anwar as deputy prime minister in 1998.

Speaking of the next general election (GE14), due to be held by 2018, Santiago said Anwar would be a force to be reckoned with even if he remained in jail.

Anwar’s case review application was dismissed by a five-person bench at the Federal Court today thus ending any possible further legal recourse the former opposition leader has to overturn his sodomy conviction.

His only remaining option is to submit an application to the Pardons Board for clemency.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.