After a tense morning in the Putrajaya’s Palace of Justice, the Federal Court maintained a five-year prison term for Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, originally handed down last year for a sodomy charge.
In about 40 minutes of deliberation on whether the five-year sentence was to be maintained, enhanced, or lowered, the five-man panel was asked by defense attorney Gopal Sri Ram to show leniency on his client, who had served the country as part of the Federal Government and as a leader of the Federal Opposition, both with contributions to Malaysia’s democratic system.
Prosecution attorney Muhammad Shafee Abdullah countered that despite Anwar’s service to the country, he had nonetheless been found guilty of committing the serious offence of sodomy. Calling the five-year term “manifestly inadequate”, Shafee asked for an enhanced sentence of six years or more, up to the maximum term of 20 years. He waived the right to ask for whipping, as Shafee said Anwar’s age rendered that punishment “irrelevant”.
Anwar himself asked to address the court, during which he said he would accept the decision of the court and remain patient. However, he then added, “I maintain my innocence and that it is a political conspiracy to stop me,” as reported by Malaysiakini.
Anwar strongly chastised the Federal Court for its decision, saying, “You could have carved your names. But in bowing to the dictates of your political masters, you have become partners in the murder of the judiciary. You chose to remain on the dark side.”
At this point Justice Ariffin of the five-man panel asked Anwar to stop, warning him not to “condemn the court”. When Anwar kept speaking, the judges rose from the bench and adjourned the session.
The judges returned 20 minutes later to announce their decision.
