PRESS STATEMENT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16, 2008 3:30 PM
This afternoon at 1:05 PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, was arrested outside of his home in Kuala Lumpur.
He was due to issue a statement at IPK KL (Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters) at 2:00 PM based on an agreement reached with the police on Tuesday.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was returning from the Anti Corruption Agency to his home after giving a statement pertaining to the police report that has been filed regarding suppression of material facts in the case involving him in 1998. He was accompanied by his senior legal team, staff, and security.
As he entered the neighborhood of his home, a contingent of ten police cars, half unmarked and half patrol, forced the two cars in Anwar Ibrahim’s entourage to stop.
There was a contingent of 20 balaclava-clad masked commandos (UTK) who accosted him, reminiscent of the forces sent to arrest Anwar Ibrahim at his home in September 1998.
An officer approached Anwar Ibrahim and demanded that he accompany the police in an unmarked vehicle to the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters.
His lawyers were not permitted to travel with him to the police station.
This arrest has taken place less than fifteen hours after Anwar Ibrahim appeared live on Malaysian television for the first time since 1998, and announced to millions of viewers his intention to stand for election, and upon the formation of a new government, to lower the domestic price of fuel by 50 sen.
The overwhelming majority of Malaysians expressed their support of his televised statement.
These events are deeply disturbing to us and indicate that this entire episode is a repeat of the actions taken against Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.
During the last few weeks the government owned mainstream media has demonized and vilified him.
His staff has been harassed and we see a conspiracy being hatched to thwart the political change that is imminent in Malaysia.
Under no circumstances will the people of Malaysia and the international community tolerate any harm coming to Anwar Ibrahim.
We remind Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi of the promise he made to ensure Anwar Ibrahim’s protection.
We have been able to communicate with Anwar Ibrahim, who calls upon his supporters and the people of Malaysia to remain calm and to reject any attempts at provocation, which will give a pretext for an emergency situation to be declared.
OFFICE OF ANWAR IBRAHIM
CONTACT PRESS@AICASSOCIATES.COM
News Update :
Video of the latest developments outside the KL Police Contingency Headquarters:
Supporters of Anwar shouting ‘Hidup! Hidup! Hidup Anwar! and lawyer Gobind Singh Deo attesting that if Anwar is not released unharmed by tonight, they who are his lawyers will follow up with legal action against the Malaysian Government if it is found that the warrant of arrest against Anwar is found to be not legitimate?
I hear that hundreds of Malaysians are gathering at the KL Police Contingency Headquarters for a candlelight vigil tonight to show support for Anwar.
Anyway, Anwar is reported to be safe and has not been physically harmed so far and is in high spirits. He has asked Malaysians to be calm and not to be provoked into altercations with the cops.
As we all know, the Malaysian Police are just itchy to whack the people at the slightest excuse what more when it involves Reformasi supporters.
So my fellow citizens, please watch out for the agent provocateurs who will just spark off an incident to warrant such police brutal actions against unarmed citizens!
Learn from the past! History is just repeating itself.
Instead of Mahathir, we have the Imam Hadhari & Co. to contend with now.
Verily, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is watching what the zalimuns are doing!
The truth will prevail! Insya Allah!
Hits: 0
My prayer always goes to Anwar and his family. Without knowing to what degree the independance of our judicial system and enforcement units, I think he needs strong support from malaysians in general, and unbiased monitoring in this case from overseas as well.
God bless him.
Arrest in haste and regret at leisure
Let’s not abuse the use of undue pressure
For ultimately in fair justice we all treasure
With the good Lord above to all of us to reassure
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng – 160708
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Wed. 16th July 2008.
Pakatan rakyat members and supporters must stay firm and put up a united front. We must always remember this: the only reason BN can do whatever they like is because the citizens of Malaysia give them the power to do so. So, please vote wisely in the next election.
Dear gentlemen,
My prayers are that we will see justice prevail soon both for Anwar and Malaysians as well for currently, the ones claiming to be sinless are actually putting up a front when they are actually devils in disguise.
Malaysians must realize that if they want to see justice take place in this land, such changes doesn’t come if we cower in fright of death in our homes!
Malaysians who voted for the Pakatan Rakyat made those changes in Penang, Kedah, Perak, Selangor and retained Kelantan in the last GE.
If there are any conscience left in the hearts and minds of the Malaysian voters, they should know what to do in the next elections!
You have every reason to remain being strong
When you are neither guilty nor in the wrong
You can still go on to sing your own theme song
From coast to coast the whole day and night long
(C)Samuel Goh Kim Eng – 170708
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Thu. 17th July 2008.