27 July - Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Azlina Latif was dropped today from the team prosecuting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy after allegations surfaced last week that she was romantically involved with complainant and chief witness Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail told reporters today that the junior prosecutor was removed to prevent negative public perception of the Sodomy II prosecution team.
“The Attorney-General’s Chambers cannot compromise on any issue that can tarnish the image or credibility of the department and we are looking at such matters very seriously.
“This can be very difficult for us but any personal matter, if it can have any implication in whatever form on the department, will be handled very seriously,” he told reporters at a press conference at his office, here.
Abdul Gani (pic) said Farah Azlina had to be dropped not because she was found guilty, but to avoid any negative public perception on the prosecution team.
“This move is also to ensure that the smooth running of the case is not affected,” he said.
However, he said Farah Azlina had very limited involvement in the case, pointing out that she only assisted in recording all notes on the proceedings.
“She had no access at all to the investigation papers or any confidential information that the prosecution has,” he said.
Abdul Gani also said that an internal investigation will be held to look into Raja Petra’s claims and action will be taken accordingly.
“We will make sure there will be an internal investigation into the matter and if there is something wrong, action will be taken,” said the A-G but he did not elaborate on what action would be taken if the allegations were true.
The Malaysian Insider reported the allegations last week after fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin alleged that Farah was having an “affair” with Saiful.
Yesterday, Anwar’s lawyers demanded that the Attorney-General respond to Raja Petra’s claims.
Lead counsel for Anwar’s defence team Sankara Nair had said that if the matter was left unaddressed, it could affect the on-going trial proceedings which is set to continue on August 2.
Anwar is being prosecuted by an eight men prosecution team comprising Mohd Yusof, Datuk Nordin Hassan, Mohamed Hanafiah Zakaria, Wong, Noorin, Mira Mirna Musa, Naidatul Athirah Azmad and Farah Azlina Latif.
Saiful and Farah have not made any comments on the allegations.
Anwar, the 62-year-old PKR de facto leader, is charged with sodomising Saiful at Unit 11-5-1 of the Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara here between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.
The former deputy prime minister has denied the charge, describing it as “evil, frivolous lies by those in power” when the charge was read out to him. He is charged under section 377B of the Penal Code and can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction. The trial is taking place 18 months after Anwar was charged in court in August 2008.
Anwar was charged with sodomy and corruption in 1998 after he was sacked from the Cabinet and was later convicted and jailed for both offences. He was freed in September 2004 and later resurrected his political career by winning back his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in a by-election in 2008, which had been held in the interim by his wife.
He had earlier led the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, to a historic sweep of five states and 82 parliamentary seats in Election 2008.
- themalaysianinsider
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail told reporters today that the junior prosecutor was removed to prevent negative public perception of the Sodomy II prosecution team.“The Attorney-General’s Chambers cannot compromise on any issue that can tarnish the image or credibility of the department and we are looking at such matters very seriously.
“This can be very difficult for us but any personal matter, if it can have any implication in whatever form on the department, will be handled very seriously,” he told reporters at a press conference at his office, here.
Abdul Gani (pic) said Farah Azlina had to be dropped not because she was found guilty, but to avoid any negative public perception on the prosecution team.
“This move is also to ensure that the smooth running of the case is not affected,” he said.
However, he said Farah Azlina had very limited involvement in the case, pointing out that she only assisted in recording all notes on the proceedings.
“She had no access at all to the investigation papers or any confidential information that the prosecution has,” he said.
Abdul Gani also said that an internal investigation will be held to look into Raja Petra’s claims and action will be taken accordingly.
“We will make sure there will be an internal investigation into the matter and if there is something wrong, action will be taken,” said the A-G but he did not elaborate on what action would be taken if the allegations were true.
The Malaysian Insider reported the allegations last week after fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin alleged that Farah was having an “affair” with Saiful.
Yesterday, Anwar’s lawyers demanded that the Attorney-General respond to Raja Petra’s claims.
Lead counsel for Anwar’s defence team Sankara Nair had said that if the matter was left unaddressed, it could affect the on-going trial proceedings which is set to continue on August 2.
Anwar is being prosecuted by an eight men prosecution team comprising Mohd Yusof, Datuk Nordin Hassan, Mohamed Hanafiah Zakaria, Wong, Noorin, Mira Mirna Musa, Naidatul Athirah Azmad and Farah Azlina Latif.
Saiful and Farah have not made any comments on the allegations.
Anwar, the 62-year-old PKR de facto leader, is charged with sodomising Saiful at Unit 11-5-1 of the Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara here between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.
The former deputy prime minister has denied the charge, describing it as “evil, frivolous lies by those in power” when the charge was read out to him. He is charged under section 377B of the Penal Code and can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction. The trial is taking place 18 months after Anwar was charged in court in August 2008.
Anwar was charged with sodomy and corruption in 1998 after he was sacked from the Cabinet and was later convicted and jailed for both offences. He was freed in September 2004 and later resurrected his political career by winning back his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in a by-election in 2008, which had been held in the interim by his wife.
He had earlier led the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, to a historic sweep of five states and 82 parliamentary seats in Election 2008.
- themalaysianinsider
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