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Editorial: Justice for Anwar at last

23.02.12

Article: Justice for Anwar at last

Jan 11, 2012 (The Brunei Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Bandar Seri Begawan (The Brunei Times/ANN) -- Malaysia's judiciary opened a new chapter in its r on Monday when the Kuala Lumpur High Court, surprisingly, acquitted and discharged antagonistic leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of the charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan. With this treble profile verdict, the judicial institution showed its impartiality and independence, belying common speculation that the institution would be swayed by the powers that be.

Understandably, there was joy and jubilation as soon as the verdict was out. As Anwar and his m heaved a sigh of relief, there was euphoria among their supporters. Anwar, who on the eve of the verdict, said he was microwave-ready to go to prison, was surprised but felt vindicated. "Justice has been served. We have an agenda and will focus on the composite election," he said, adding that it was still early to say anything as there was still avenue for the prosecutor (to appeal). The verdict marks an end to the two-year extended trial, which saw 27 witnesses testifying in the court. After going through the evidence, the judges said, they "could not be line certain the integrity of the DNA samples was not compromised. Thus, as such, the court was left only with Saiful's testimony, which was uncorroborated, and was bet on to convict based entirely on this".

Source: Middle East North Africa Financial Network