According to Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian, the manner in which the Sodomy II trial was conducted has given supporters no cause for optimism with regards to the verdict. KUCHING: A banner containing some 300 signatures from Sarawak will be among the many calling for the release of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim even before the verdict is announced on Jan 9.
PKR expects to mobilize 100,000 supporters to gather at the Jalan Duta High Court where Anwar’s fate will be known on Monday.
Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian said whatever the outcome, it will not impede PKR or Pakatan Rakyat’s progress.
“Pakatan Rakyat will progress, whatever the decision of the court. We are certain that the rakyat will continue to move forward with us in this journey towards a truly democratic Malaysia,” he said.
Bian who is leading the 30-strong delegation to participate in the peaceful assembly, said it was to show ‘solidarity’ for Anwar and his family.
“As concerned citizens, we will be exercising our rights guaranteed in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution to peaceful assembly, whether in Kuala Lumpur or in Kuching, to show our solidarity with Anwar Ibrahim and his family,” said Bian who is also Ba Kelalan assemblyman.
He said in recent days various non-governmental organisations and pro-BN groups have lodged police reports against the ‘901 Free Anwar Campaign’ citing a multitude of reasons which carry no substance.
“Accusing the organisors of attempting to get the foreign media to paint the country in a bad light and scaremongering about adverse effects of the protest on the economy is just overstretching the limits of the human imagination.
“This peaceful gathering is being organised to show support for Anwar on a day during which his freedom may be taken away from him.
“We are not interested in attempting to interfere with the court’s decision as we are of the conviction that any court’s decision must be based on the facts and evidence presented to the court in a fair trial and not on any extraneous factors,” Bian said.
He said a ‘fair trial’ being the operative requisite, the conduct of the case from the very beginning has given them no cause for optimism with regard to the verdict that will be handed down next Monday.
“It is obvious to all and sundry, if all were to be honest about it, that the trial has been tainted with political agendas and manoeuvres,” he said.
Joseph Tawie | January 5, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment