Can you read between the lines of Anwar Ibrahim answer to a Reporter's question?
He did not really answer the question. He answered it with a hidden agenda... but I think most of us can see it. He knew this interview would be broadcast on TV so he wanted to make sure that he answered in a way to please the people listening to hopefully get their votes in the coming elections. It was a calculated answer with a hidden agenda.
He was just acquitted and discharged in a politically-charged sodomy trial he has denounced as a government bid to cripple his opposition ahead of upcoming elections.
"(Do) you think your path now is clear to be the country's next Prime Minister if the an election is called soon?"
Anwar Ibrahim:
"The decision whether I make Prime Minister is not the decision of the judge or the judiciary; it is the decision of the Malaysian people."
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Here's the News article...
Here's the News article...
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ASIA PACIFIC NEWS
Anwar Ibrahim acquitted in sodomy trial
Posted: 09 January 2012 0931 hrs
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was acquitted and discharged on Monday in a politically-charged sodomy trial he has denounced as a government bid to cripple his opposition ahead of upcoming elections.
Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah issued the eagerly-awaited ruling at the Kuala Lumpur High Court as thousands of Anwar supporters gathered outside to denounce the trial and demand that he be exonerated.
In his brief verdict announcement, the High Court said he could not rely on controversial DNA evidence submitted by the prosecution.
"The court is always reluctant to convict on sexual offences without corroborative evidence. Therefore, the accused is acquitted and discharged," he said.
The ruling by Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah set off pandemonium in the Kuala Lumpur High Court, with Anwar mobbed by his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail , daughters and opposition politicians in joyous scenes both inside the courthouse and out on the streets where crowds estimated by police to number at least 5,000 had gathered before dawn in a show of support.
Shortly after the verdict and as the opposition leader was speaking to the media outside the courthouse, three explosions were heard.
They came from the parking area outside the courthouse where protesters had gathered.
According to police, the blasts were due to firecrackers and it's believed that they were placed under police cones.
At least two people were said to have been injured and taken to hospital.
As police cleared the area, journalists at the scene reported at least one motorcycle damaged by the blast which is also believed to have shattered the window of a van.
The blasts occurred as Anwar supporters were rallying in the streets to
celebrate the opposition leader's acquittal.
Anwar, 64, was charged with sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful BukhariAzlan, 26, at a Condominium Desa Damansara unit in Bukit Damansara here, between 3.10pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.
He was charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code which carries a sentence of up to 20 years' jail and whipping, upon conviction.
The courtroom was packed with Anwar's family members, a number of opposition members of parliament as well as local and foreign journalists.
The charismatic Anwar had been groomed to succeed former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad until a bitter row between them saw Anwar ousted in 1998, beaten and jailed on sodomy and graft charges widely seen as politically motivated.
The sodomy charge was overturned in 2004 and he was released, eventually leading a fractious opposition to unprecedented gains against his former ruling party in 2008 general elections.
But new sodomy charges emerged shortly after those polls, sparking accusations they were concocted by the ruling United Malays National Organisation to stall the opposition revival.
Sodomy is illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia and punishable by 20 years in jail.
Police earlier gave rare consent for the courthouse rally, provided it did not get out of hand.
The supporters were urged by Anwar to remain peaceful and disperse after the verdict.
- AFP/Bernama/cc/sf
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