Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian police on Friday agreed
to let supporters of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim to
hold a rally here on Monday when the much awaited verdict on
his sodomy trial is set to be announced.
The "Free Anwar 901" (on 9th January) organisers had
assured that the gathering would be peaceful. City police
chief Mohmad Salleh said this was decided at a meeting today
between the police and opposition party PKR deputy president
Azmin Ali.
"They have decided and promised to have a peaceful
gathering at the car park," Mohmad told a press conference.
"The discussions took some time, and I gave the assurance
that the gathering will be orderly and peaceful in accordance
with the cooperation extended by the police and the Home
Ministry," Azmin said.
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has said that the
organisers of the gathering must convince authorities that
whatever they are planning will not jeopardise the safety of
other people.
The Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had criticised
the opposition party for going ahead with the rally.
"They have already made an assumption, before the court
makes a decision," Yassin said.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Anwar has said the
opposition alliance, comprising PKR, PAS and DAP parties, has
identified its potential Prime Minister candidate and
successor to him.
However, Anwar did not name the candidate. He said PKR,
PAS and DAP had drawn up a contingency plan based on the event
that he is convicted and jailed for sodomy.
"If I am jailed, involved in an accident or shot, we are
prepared ... (We) discussed various possibilities, scenario
one, two, three," he added.
Anwar faces up to 20 years in prison if he is found
guilty of committing sodomy against his former aide Saiful
Bukhari Azlan.
Press reports had quoted Anwar as saying that he would
continue playing a role in Malaysian politics even if he went
to jail. "I'll still be around, in jail or outside jail," he
was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, a former close friend of Anwar, senator S
Nallakaruppan said yesterday that the opposition leader was
capable of bluffing even when swearing on the Quran.
Nallakaruppan, who is Malaysian Indian United Party
(MIUP) president, urged the people not to be misled by Anwar.
PTI
First Published: Friday, January 06, 2012, 18:19