Wan Azizah made way for Anwar to contest

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today that he will contest the by-election for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat vacated by his wife and Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has resigned as Member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh with immediate effect to make way for her husband, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest the seat in a by-election.

Wan Azizah, 55, said she tendered her resignation letter to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia today.

Wan Azizah told a packed press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya this afternoon that she had resigned as Member of Parliament for the seat but will retain her post as PKR president.

The Election Commission will be required to call a by-election within 60 days.

Permatang Pauh was held by Anwar for 17 years since he joined Umno in 1982. Wan Azizah took over as MP for the seat after her husband was sacked and subsequently jailed on charges of corruption and sodomy.

In the 2008 general election, she won the seat for the third time with a majority of 13,388 after defeating Umno's Pirdaus Ismail in a rematch.

Although the announcement sprung a surprise, politically, he can’t be patient and the long awaiting movement by the supporters for his re-entry into parliament. Among Bandar Tun Razak, Balik Pulau and Kulim, he chose Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat.

Interestingly, he might be arrested in the next 48 hours, said a senior party official, arguing it was to stop him contesting a by-election. In the mist of uncertainty, should the situation once again support the popular conspiracy theory of Anwar being fixed by the BN?

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar revealed today that police investigations into the sodomy complaint against Anwar Ibrahim have been completed and the papers are now with the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.

However, Anwar Ibrahim said, "They have nothing to charge me with. They have been fishing for almost a month now and they haven’t caught any fish yet. Maybe they would catch a coconut and assume it’s a fish."

By the way, the political battle is on…….

Global crude oil prices fell 15 %

The oil price has fallen by 15 per cent from its record high of $US147.50 a barrel set two weeks ago to $US120.42, with no sign that its decline has ended.

Light, sweet crude for September delivery fell $US2.54 to settle at $US122.19 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the lowest settlement price for a front-month contract since June 10.

Earlier, prices fell to $US120.42, also the lowest level since June 10. Oil has now fallen more than $US25 from its trading high of $US147.27, reached on July 11. It was reported that speculators are quitting their bets that oil prices will continue rising.

Analysts are reluctant to predict where the price will settle, as there have been several dips in the market before that raised false hopes that prices would ease back to double digits.

" Once we break through $US120, we could easily slide through to $100," Darin Newsom, senior analyst at DTN in Omaha, said.

Most of the world's oil is produced at a cost of less than $US60 a barrel.

Speculators have been widely blamed for the surge in prices, particularly by the OPEC cartel of oil producing nations. Others, including the International Monetary Fund and, as recently as this week, a report by the US Treasury and the Chicago Futures Trading Commission, have cast doubt on the role of speculators, suggesting markets are responding to supply and demand.

Rising global crude oil prices caused inflationary pressure on the economy and the immediate negative impact is great. Most of the goods and services instantly adjusted its domestic prices even higher than the oil price hike.

An oil hike had a cascading effect on price rise and caused the inflation figures soared which heaps further the burden on people.

Theoretically, the sharp drop in energy prices should generate lower petrol prices at the pump and goods and services in the market.

The question arises; will the sharp drop in energy prices follow by sharp fall in the general level of prices for goods and services, subsequently, increasing the purchasing power?

Hudud and qisas laws totally unacceptable by MCA

PAS has never wavered from their theocratic Islamic state concept and is staunchly in favour of an Islamic state which includes the imposition of hudud and qisas laws on non-Muslims which is claimed totally unacceptable by MCA.

MCA - the second largest party in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition - is flabbergasted by PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz’s proposal to implement hudud and qisas laws, among other things in the country should the PAS-UMNO merger become a reality.

“I am disappointed and gravely concerned with Nik Aziz’s statement to implement hudud and qisas laws as it would mean the creation of a theocratic Islamic state.” said MCA Youth Secretary General YB Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong.

“PAS must bear in mind that Malaysia is a multiracial country, and we must always go back to the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the land that enshrines the rights of every Malaysian citizen. I urge UMNO to object to PAS’ proposal as it is a matter of principle.” said YB Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong.

Under Islam, crimes classified under hudud such as murder, theft and adultery carry severe punishment including the amputation of limbs and stoning to death.

Meanwhile, qisas (law of retaliation) allows for, among others, compensation in the form of money or property if the heirs of the victim forgive the murderer.

Changing the five state governments of coalition Pakatan Rakyat?

A time bomb has been set in the three-party opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat, with DAP openly declaring it now wants the alliance to review the membership of PAS in the coalition.

DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said PAS had thrown grave doubts over its credibility and Pakatan Rakyat should seriously consider, in view of events of late, whether PAS should be allowed continued membership in the alliance.

“The assurance by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to Pakatan Rakyat partners, that PAS will not abandon the alliance to join the BN, is not bona fide and is not supported by past events.


“After the March 8 general elections, PAS had talks with Umno to form a coalition government in Selangor. This was an act of bad faith as both DAP and PKR were not informed of such a move by PAS,” he said in a statement today.

Karpal also slammed the move by PAS to hold another round of talks with Umno “in the name of Malay unity”, calling this a “racial move” by PAS, which he claimed was incongruous with the policies of the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat.

Pakatan Rakyat, made up of DAP, PKR and PAS, rule five states, namely Kelantan, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor. Any break-up in the coalition will result in change in the state governments of these states, except for Kelantan where PAS secures majority of the state seats.

Yesterday, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat suggested that UMNO and PAS be dissolved and a new party formed to unite all Malays.

“Such a revelation is startling and has serious ramifications, implications and consequences. Nik Aziz’s statement reduces to nought Hadi Awang’s statement in Ipoh, also yesterday, that PAS would not merge with Umno or join Barisan Nasional.

“Obviously, statements made by PAS leaders of late, give the perception that they are out to scuttle the Pakatan Rakyat,” said Karpal.

High cost maintaining Perdana Executive V6 is impossible but happening

MB Datuk Ahmad Said had said it had cost the state government RM1.175 million to maintain their fleet of 16 Perdana cars over a span of four years. On the contrary, Proton dealers said it is impossible that it costs more than RM100,000 annually to maintain the Perdana Executive V6.

Undeniably, it is happening. Should the quality of Perdana Executive V6 be questioned, or otherwise as an excuse to buy a more expensive car or “something fishy” about the bills?

It is impossible that it costs more than RM100,000 annually to maintain the Perdana Executive V6, say Proton dealers.

Proton Edar Dealers’ Association Malaysia (PEDA) said this in response to Terengganu state government’s decision to replace the Proton Perdana Executive V6 with Mercedes Benzes as official cars, citing high cost of maintenance and faulty gearboxes.

Association president Wan Ahmad Sepwan Wan Abd Rahman claimed there could be “something fishy” about the bills.

PEDA, which represents more than 180 dealers, said new Proton models are given full warranty for the first two years.

“We hope that there is a thorough investigation to ensure that the repairs were made by honest parties, and that the state government was not over-charged.

“Whatever it is, don’t insult Proton as an excuse to buy a more expensive car,” he said in a statement.

Anwar is the snitch for the Americans?

Can the statement of US Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice urging Malaysia to ensure a "transparent" investigation into sex misconduct allegations against PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim be interpreted as Anwar is the “snitch” for the Americans?

US Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice urged Malaysia to ensure a "transparent" investigation into sex misconduct allegations against PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Rice said US would continue to speak out on cases involving human rights and politics although it did so "in a spirit of respect for Malaysia".

"The United States doesn't recognize this very firm barrier that it is simply internal affairs when a case of this kind comes up, but we are going to continue to work with Malaysia," she told reporters.

"One of the things that we have said is that we want to see transparency and for rule of law to be completely followed here."

Malaysia has accused the United States of meddling in its internal affairs by raising concern over Anwar's arrest last week on sodomy charges - the same charge that saw him jailed a decade ago.

Rice's remarks are bound to infuriate the Malaysian government where a few leaders have attacked Anwar as a “snitch” for the Americans.

Stop the muzakarah, Nik Aziz tells PAS leaders

Political ideology is like a guarding light without which a political party, its leaders and the country roam and gropes in the dark.

Fundamentally, the political ideology of PAS and UMNO are conflicting as they are different from one another. These differences are natural as conflict is natural in human and particularly political relations.

Ironically, birds of the same feathers flock together, while those who share another set of views will come together at the other end of the continuum, thus Muzakarah (dialogue) between the PAS and UMNO, is claimed to be a good political strategy and agenda but it causes suspicion of the motive of UMNO.

Hence, the interesting question arises: Can the political parties resolve the ideological conflict and merge together?

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat wants the muzakarah (dialogue) between the party and UMNO to stop.

He said the party grassroots were unsettled with the dialogue.

He added that nothing was expected to materialize from such talks because both parties had different ideologies, namely one was an Islamist party while the other was based on nationalism.

Nik Aziz pointed out that the talks that UMNO president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had with three PAS decision-makers on the issue of Malays and Islam were of a personal nature rather than formal party-to-party discussions.

“It is really nothing. It is the media that played it up. I leave it to the party to decide the next course but we must admit that such things leave our grassroots, PKR and DAP unsettled,” he told a press conference.

Nik Aziz said this would be the last time he would comment on the dialogue. Asked when would be a good time for such a dialogue, he said probably after the general election in 2013 or much later.

He refused to say if PAS was now split in view of the differing versions from various leaders.

Nik Aziz warned that PAS should be careful not to be trapped by Umno, which was now weak and needed to create some form of diversion from the party’s internal issues.

“My wish is that soon UMNO would become the Opposition in the country. Those who want to can join PAS,” he said.

Police chief vs Anwar

Inspector-general of police Musa Hassan this morning filed a defamation suit against Anwar Ibrahim over the PKR de facto leader's police report against him for allegedly fabricating evidence in the 1998 'black eye' incident.

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim welcomed Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan's lawsuit against him as an opportunity to go head-on with the country's top cop in the legal arena.

Anwar has accused Musa and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail of manipulating evidence in an investigation into an alleged beating he received while in police custody 10 years ago.

In 1998 Anwar was arrested and later jailed for sodomy and corruption, and sacked as deputy premier. The sex conviction was later overturned.

Last month, Anwar filed a police complaint over his treatment in custody a decade ago, which resulted in him sporting a black eye.

According to Musa's lawyer Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, the country's top policeman said Anwar had slandered him by repeating in public and to the media the allegations of manipulating evidence.

"What Musa is claiming here is that Anwar, in lodging that report and publicising it with his statements in press conferences, he has repeated those allegations without substantiating it with hard evidence," his lawyer told AFP.

"He has acted with malice and made the statement recklessly as to whether what he said is true or not," Kamarul said.

Anwar has said he is the victim of a "vendetta" after spending a night in police custody last week over new sodomy accusations levelled by a young male aide. He said he was being targeted because of the allegations he made against Musa and Gani.

Anwar rejected the new allegations levelled by 23-year-old aide Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan as another conspiracy to stop him from toppling the government, which suffered huge losses in March elections.

Shabery vs Anwar debate is the path to become a more matured democracy

The hour-long Shabery vs Anwar debate entitled “Today we form the Government, tomorrow the fuel prices will go down” was organised by online news portal Agenda Daily and was broadcast live over TV9, Astro Awani and Bernama TV proceeded smoothly last night.

It was the first time and indeed a rare occasion to see such a debate that a government minister was pitted against an opposition leader live on television. For Shabery Cheek, the taking up this challenge to defend government's move on fuel price rise and to win over the so called independents is shown clearly that he is the kind of budding intellect that is willing to shoulder the responsibility as the minister.

The information minister breaking the norm to engage in a debate with the opposition that affects the lives of all Malaysians, thus should be applauded as it marked a new era in the government’s policy of openness for given more freedom to express public views in a peaceful and respectful manner.

Ironically, the debate is something positive which gave the opposition room to air its opinion. Undeniably, Anwar has done a good job in recommending many measures to justify his proposal. On the other hand, the government could assessed in terms of the people’s views and the government’s open policy.

It brings together different elements, ideas and approaches to the issues facing the common people and it is indeed refreshing to see the debate exhibiting such tentativeness of making reasonable, intelligent comments on the issues.

Academically, it was not only an education in social politics, but also public finance and economics both domestics and international which is somewhat enhanced the understanding of the average Malaysian on the issue arises.

It is in fact also nothing short of an astonishing historical event and a significant milestone in Malaysian politics in venturing down the path to becoming a more matured democracy.

Anwar's political games: Shabery put post on the line

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said today he was prepared to be taken actions by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi if he failed to defend government policies in the upcoming debate with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"If I fail, I will leave it to the leadership to decide on my future (as a minister)," he said when asked to comment on his statement to AgendaDaily news portal yesterday that he was putting his cabinet post on the line.

Ahmad Shabery said it was his responsibility to defend and explain the government policies pertaining to the fuel price hikes to the best of his ability.

"If I fail in my duty, I leave it to the leadership to find a new and better Information Minister who can explain and defend government policies. I mean it," he told reporters after meeting Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Chairman Maurice Newman and delegation at the parliament house Thursday.

Ironically, the said debate themed "Form the Government Today, Reduce the Oil Price Tomorrow", organized by news portal 'Agenda Daily' to be held at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka hall is part and parcel of the political games.

Ahmad Shabery knew perfectly well the mountain has a tiger, he is just waiting for the right time to get the cub as you can't catch a cub without going into the the tiger's den. It is a good political strategy to debate with Anwar with nothing to lose but everything to gain.

By putting his cabinet post on the line, I guess this is his political strategy of putting opposition-party members into the pocket and on a par with the top opposition political figure.

By and large, it is not only a political mileage but powerful political counter attack by Ahmad Shabery. He is setting the political precedent to take on opposition not only to address but instead end the issues arises frequently. The debate would mark him as a rising political star on the Malaysian political scene ……….

Pakatan Rakyat files motion of no confidence against PM

Pakatan Rakyat Members of Parliament, led by MP for Permatang Pauh and PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail, filed a motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister and his Cabinet after months of making the threat.

The Speaker promised to give full consideration to the motion but it has been understood that the motion will be rejected after it is read on Monday.

The motion, filed under Section 18 (1) and (2) of the House Standing Order, was passed to Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia at his office in Parliament House at 3.45pm.

Among others, the motion stated that the 12th general election witnessed a 'political tsunami' which saw five states and the Federal Territories falling into the hands of the Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional being denied a two-thirds majority.

"BN achieved its slim victory by manipulating the Election Commission and through lies.

"The price of fuel was suddenly raised after the elections although the deputy premier - while launching the election manifesto - promised this would not happen.

BN parliamentarians who rejected this irresponsible action of their leaders are threatened and forced not to speak out.

"This development has caused a crisis of confidence with the prime minister and his cabinet. The people are facing several crises such as an increase in the prices of fuel and foodstuff.

"In addition, the people's confidence in the police, attorney-general and judiciary is also on the decline. Crime and corruption is on the rise."

Abdullah will step down in 2010

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will step down as Prime Minister in June 2010 and hand over power to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said two years was the right amount of time for him to complete his projects.

"(Deputy Prime Minister) Najib (Razak) also needs time to prepare the party for the next elections - whether it's 2012 or 2013.

"During this period, I will also let Najib sit in more committees and get to know the leaders of other countries."

Abdullah who is Umno president however said he would still seek nomination to contest the party's top post during the December party election and that Najib who is his deputy would still go for the number two party post.

He said he would not be leading Barisan Nasional into the next general election because by that time the country would have Najib as the new Prime Minister.

Abdullah admitted that he felt a little sad over his decision to quit as Prime Minister.

Fuel debate Anwar VS Shabery is On

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would be putting himself and his party at risk in the fuel price increase debate on July 15.

“I have always prepared my mind. Do you think it’s tough? I don’t think it’s tough at all. I’m very confident about it,” he told reporters at Parliament lobby.

On whether the debate was brought up at the Cabinet meeting yesterday, Ahmad Shabery said it wasn’t discussed, adding: “The Prime Minister has already issued a statement that it (the debate) is good.”

He said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is a leader and he always assumes that he can become the Prime Minister.

“But I’m nothing. I’m just a local leader in Umno,” he said.

Ahmad Shabery also clarified that the debate was organised by Agenda Daily and not him or his ministry.

China's Economy to Surpass US by 2035

China's economy will overtake that of the US by 2035 and be twice its size by mid-century, a new study by a US research organization concludes.

China’s likely continued success will eventually bring an end to America’s global economic preeminence, requiring strategic reassessment by all major economies - especially the United States, the European Union, Japan, and even China itself.

In China's Economic Rise - Fact and Fiction, economist Albert Keidel of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said China's rapid growth is driven by domestic demand more than exports, which will be sustainable over the coming decades.

'China's economic performance clearly is no flash in the pan,' Keidel writes. 'Its growth this decade has averaged more than 10% a year and is still going strong in the first half of 2008. Because its success in recent decades has not been export-led but driven by domestic demand, its rapid growth can continue well into the 21st century, unfettered by world market limitation.'

Keidel, who has worked as a World Bank economist and US Treasury official, said the rise of China to the world's biggest economy will happen regardless of the method of calculation.

Under current market-based estimates, China's gross domestic product is about $3 trillion compared to $14 trillion for the US. Based on purchasing power parity (PPP) measure used by the World Bank and others to correct low labour-cost distortions, he said China's GDP is roughly half of that of the US.

Keidel's calculations suggest that using the PPP method, China will catch up with the US as an economic power by 2020, with an equivalent GDP of $18 trillion. Based on the more commonly accepted market method, the turning point will come by 2035. By 2050, he estimated Chinese GDP at some $82 trillion compared with $44 trillion for the US.

However, the Chinese standard of living will remain lower - with per capita GDP in China between half and two-thirds the level of that in the US in 2050, according to the report. Keidel said poverty will remain a significant problem in China for decades despite considerable progress.

Abdullah: slander and lies spread in cyberspace

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday labelled as treachery the deliberate attempts to create perceptions of uneasiness and distrust in the people via the Internet and the short messaging service (SMS) with blatant disregard for the principles of the Rukunegara (National Principles).

The prime minister said these attempts, undertaken through Internet blogs, the YouTube and SMS, had blemished the principles of the Rukunegara such as Loyalty to King and Country, Upholding the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and Good Behaviour and Morality.

"All the slander and lies spread through the blogs and YouTube do not contribute to ease and confidence in the people," he said at the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister's Department, here.

"There is no more regard for statements of truth in law. Little attention is given to (one's) demeanour in life. The sovereignty of the Rulers is turned into an issue," he said.

Abdullah said not all of the people believed in the negative perceptions which were attempted to be created but it was portrayed that more people had become trapped in that situation.

"Conduct attributed to the truth is not appreciated. What is appreciated is the perception, and along with it the lies.

"Perception negates the truth. The truth is no longer talked about. The important thing is the perception," he said.

Abdullah said perceptions had influenced the attitudes and options of some people in the making of decisions, including those related to investment and
business.

He said this must be rectified but, unfortunately, it had become a subject which the people were most interested in, so much so that it had become word of mouth and they resorted to exaggeration.

"The people must be appeased so as not to have any fear of a possible shortage of food. They must be pacified so as not to have any worry over their own safety and that of their families," he said.

Abdullah said the nation had just gone through the democratic process (March 8 general election) and the government had been given the mandate to administer the country.

The government, he said, hoped to be able to fulfill the aspirations of the people.

He said the government had adopted and would take measures to reduce the financial burden of the people arising from the increase in fuel prices which had caused them some restlessness.

"The people must have confidence in our efforts," he said. The prime minister called on the enforcement authorities to be firm in maintaining peace and security in the country.

"Let's stop doing what is undesirable. The people must exercise a high sense of responsibility. Our priority must be to maintain peace," he said.

SAPP HAS NO INTENTION TO JOIN ANWAR

In the multi-ethnic Malaysian political spectrum, the strong political leadership is necessarily and essential.

As political stability is an essential pre-requisite factor for consistent and sustainable economic growth, the establishment of political confidence through strong political leadership is needed for modernization and the development of a dynamic political economy.

The Sabah Progressive Party's plan to table a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been shelved is thus justified.

The party’s vice-president and MP for Tawau, Datuk Chua Soon Bui said, the party did not want to be held responsible as the "scapegoat" in the current political climate.

"We don't want to be made the scapegoat under the current political situation and take responsibility if there's any emergency rule or any outcome that will affect the general public," she said.

Is Balasubramaniam a “red herring” by Anwar?

Datuk Seri Najib Razak reiterated that he never knew Altantuya Shaariibuu as another claim by a private detective arose yesterday linking him with the murdered Mongolian woman.

He dismissed the statutory declaration filed by private eye P Balasubramaniam, who was hired by Najib's close associate Abdul Razak Baginda to deal with the Altantuya problem, as "concocted" claims.

Najib described the latest attempt to connect him to the crime as a "malicious, slanderous fabrication aimed at tarnishing my image".


Najib said the statutory declaration by private investigator P. Balasubramaniam was a “red herring” by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to divert public attention from the sodomy allegation against the PKR adviser.


“I am very sure that this is a very desperate attempt to divert attention from the sodomy allegation that Anwar is facing now.

"I believe this is concocted. Why, all of a sudden, at this point of time, has this emerged?

"Now, suddenly, all parties are attacked, the inspector-general of police, the attorney-general, me. Why now? That is the question.

Is political conspiracy of Anwar Ibarhim exploited by US?

The United States said Monday it would oppose any politically motivated investigation or prosecution of Anwar and hoped the accusations would not be a repeat of his 1998 trial.

“The main point for us is that the rule of law needs to stand above politics. And we would certainly oppose any use of law enforcement or judicial procedures for anything other than legitimate purposes of the law,” US State Department spokesman Tom Casey was quoted by several news agencies as saying in a report from Washington.

Diplomatically, the US State Department’s strongly worded response to an ongoing police probe into a sodomy accusation against former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has apparently mischievous and unjustified. It seems to harbour prejudice against Malaysia and the disrespected manner should be condemned to the strongest degree.

The statement amounted to interference in Malaysia's internal affairs. The US interference in other's internal affairs and pressurizing under this or that pretext that cause the principle of justice impartiality is being seriously violated. The relationship between Kuala Lumpur and Washington exposed to a grave threat as US is one of Malaysia's largest trading partners.

Ironically, to establish a fair international order and maintaining good relationship is to respect the sovereignty of each country and nation. What is essential here is to strictly abide by the principle of non-interference in other's internal affairs.

Malaysia should resolutely oppose any country interfering in Malaysia internal affairs using the Anwar Ibarhim issue as an excuse. The Anwar Ibrahim issue completely belongs to Malaysia Internal affairs. There should be no interference in the internal affairs of Malaysia and Washington had better get their facts rights.

The objective and practice of Malaysia is to ensure all due process in the law is implemented fairly and nobody is ill-treated or threatened.

The great interest shown by US toward the sodomy case involving Anwar can’t be deemed as merely a “political conspiracy” behind a young aide’s accusation of homosexual assault.

The US strongly worded response suffices to discern relation between Anwar and the US as well as Zionist among the public. The thought had crossed the public minds as it is a well known fact that Anwar has a good friend, Paul Wolfowitz - ultra neocon Zionist, architect of the Iraqi invasion and the 10th President of the World Bank Group.

Although most of the public still in mass confusion, but they are trying to figure out the bigger picture of the story as the public wants to get the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Its wrecking my little brain, can someone help me out?

A conspiracy plot orchestrated by Anwar Ibrahim?

The sodomy saga that Anwar Ibrahim has been accused of again attracted public opinion and media interest both domestically and internationally. This is one of the political stories that attracted the most public attention. Unknowingly, the media seem to play a vital role to blow this matter up.

The aide, 23-year-old Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, had lodged a police report alleged that the PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had sodomised him at a luxury condominium in Damansara last Thursday, became the most talked about in Malaysia.

The sordid news still stirs the imagination of a lot of Malaysians. Agreed or disagreed with the majority, ironically, Saiful now stands accused of being part of a conspiracy plot orchestrated by politicians from the Barisan Nasional government to defame or have Anwar Ibrahim jailed once again.

The incident suffices to discern three basic schools of thought among the public. The first one believed that what has been accused of is true; the second one believed that the allegations are conspiracy plot orchestrated by politicians from the Barisan Nasional government to block the political resurgence of Anwar Ibrahim and the third one still in mass confusion and trying to figure out the bigger picture of the reality of the incident.

Either the reality or play-acting seek to hold a candle to perception, it is implying that it is the alleged conspiracy. However, Mr Anwar, 60, denies the allegations, which he says are designed to block his political resurgence. On Sunday morning, Anwar took refuge at the residence of the Turkish ambassador, claiming that he had gone there because he feared for his personal safety after receiving death threats earlier in the week.

The former deputy prime minister wrote in his blog that he had sought refuge at the Turkish embassy at the invitation of the ambassador TO Malaysia Barlas Ozener.

“I was transported to the embassy earlier this morning (Sunday). I thank all those who offered to assist me in this time of need and am grateful to the Turkish ambassador for extending an invitation to me to seek refuge within the embassy,” he said. He said he would stay there until the government could guarantee his safety.

Interestingly, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim went to the Turkish Embassy on his own and not on an invitation from Ambassador Barlas Ozener.

He said Ozener told him that Anwar had come on “his own accord for a visit” and at the end of the visit, had asked if he could be there for some time.

Ozener was summoned to Wisma Putra yesterday to explain claims by Anwar that he was invited by the ambassador to seek refuge at the embassy.

Dr Rais said, we accepted the ambassador’s explanation that there was no invitation on his part for Anwar to seek refuge at his place. His presence there was also not for political asylum and just on humanitarian grounds. We take his explanation at face value until there comes a time when we perceive it differently.

Dr Rais said Malaysia was concerned that getting protection or shelter from foreign missions would become a trend for those who violated the country’s law.

“I believe that Anwar is doing this for political purposes. I don’t think his claim that his life is being threatened is genuine or he would want to get protection from our authorities and let them take action against the perpetrators. I don’t know what Anwar has to fear. Why fear? He is such a brave, eloquent and resourceful personality. To use embassies for his international political gambit is rather out of taste,” he said.

Dramatically, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ended his one-day refuge at the Turkish ambassador's residence Monday. He left the residence at 6.45pm in a black sports utility vehicle together with his wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who had arrived about 10 minutes earlier.

At a PKR press conference and later all over blogs and the Internet - pictures of Saiful and various BN politicians were distributed. Besides posing with ministers like Shahrir Abdul Samad, Azalina Othman Said and Mustapa Mohamed, Saiful has also taken pictures with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's special officer Khairil Anas Yusof. Najib denied any involvement with Saiful.

Abdullah and his ministers have strongly denied any involvement in the latest case against Anwar.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar accused Anwar of staging a drama and said that he was perfectly safe. "No one has endangered his life, a private person has made a police report against him. You should allow the police to investigate," he told reporters.

"It is play-acting on the part of Anwar to gain sympathy, to show that his life is in danger. I give guarantees that his life will be protected, his life is not under threat at all."

Anwar's lawyers on Monday 30 Jun 2008 filed a writ at the High Court charging the young man with libel and filing a false police report, saying the complaint was malicious and designed to destroy his political career.

After considering the sequence of the incidents happened and analyzing the multi-dimensional aspect that one should be borne in mind that how pictures of Saiful and various BN politicians were obtained by Datin Seri Wan Azizah to distribute at a PKR press conference and later all over blogs and the Internet? Is it the picture intentionally to plot against Najib? Is it no other issue better than sodomy saga to plot against Anwar?

Anwar said he sought refuge at the Turkish embassy at the invitation of the ambassador to Malaysia Barlas Ozener.

Interestingly, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim went to the Turkish Embassy on his own and not on an invitation from Ambassador Barlas Ozener.

The questions really remain, is it a well-planned fabrication or a conspiracy plot orchestrated by the desperate Anwar Ibrahim?

The only answer is, the police should investigate the story as the public wants to get the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.