Shafee’s ‘homosexual’ comment proves Anwar’s conviction political, Pakatan MPs say By YAP TZU GING

Published: February 18, 2015 

Tan Sri Muhd Shafee Abdullah speaking at a dialogue at Kelana Centre Point in Kelana Jaya, February 17, 2015. 

— Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Tan Sri Muhd Shafee Abdullah speaking at a dialogue at Kelana Centre Point in Kelana Jaya, February 17, 2015. —

 Picture by Yusof Mat Isa KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — By labelling Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim a “closet homosexual”, Sodomy II lead prosecutor Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah has only proven the existence of a political ploy behind the Opposition Leader’s conviction for sodomy, Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers alleged.

The lawmakers said it was unbecoming of a legal practitioner to embark on such a tirade against an accused in any case, especially when the court has already delivered its verdict.

PAS’ Parit Buntar MP Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa labelled Shafee’s behaviour “unprecedented”, pointing out that even though Anwar is already behind bars and unable to defend himself, the lawyer still wants to keep prosecuting the Opposition Leader.

“This issue has been politically motivated from the day Anwar was charged. He (Shafee) is exploiting this issue to attack Anwar,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

Last night at a forum organised by Umno Youth, Shafee said Anwar had claimed political conspiracy in his sodomy conviction to deflect attention on his alleged sexual orientation.

The private lawyer, who was appointed as public prosecutor under fiat in Anwar’s trial, added that Anwar’s purported homosexuality made him a “dangerous” man and a threat to national security.

DAP’s Kluang MP, Liew Chin Tong today dismissed Shafee’s claim as propaganda brandished by Umno since 1998 - when Anwar was slapped with an earlier charge of allegedly sodomising his wife’s driver.

Liew claimed that Shafee’s outburst proved that the latter is finding it hard to convince the public that Anwar deserves to sit behind bars for what the opposition maintain is a trumped-up charge.

“Effectively, Shafee had given up on legal grounds and resorted to political arguments. It is just another proof that the case is political in nature,” he said.

Shafee’s behaviour last night also mimicked that of Umno politicians, claimed PKR’s Batu MP Chua Tian Chang, who added that the lawyer was being homophobic.

“He was basically speaking like an Umno politician. He doesn’t speak like a lawyer, like a public prosecutor. It exposes his own prejudice and it’s unbecoming.

“The way he acts... no respect to rule of law, no respect to judiciary system. That’s why he doesn’t deserve to be the chairman of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights,” said Chua, who is also PKR vice-president.

Last week, the Federal Court upheld the Court of Appeal’s 2014 ruling that had reversed Anwar’s acquittal of sodomising former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, and sentenced the Permatang Pauh lawmaker to five years’ jail.

Anwar will be disqualified as MP and federal opposition leader within 14 days of his conviction unless he files a petition seeking a royal pardon.


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