Dr M: Sodomy again? Gov't not so stupid

Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the present government is not "so stupid or unimaginative" to trump up sodomy allegations against Anwar Ibrahim all over again.

"Surely (the government) could come up with another story which would be more credible if it is deliberately plotting or conspiring against Anwar.

"The probability is that the story is the same because it is genuine," he added in a posting on his CheDet blog today.

Mahahir also said it is unlikely that Saiful Bukhary Azlan is trying to mimic the sodomy allegations levelled against Anwar 10 years ago.

"Is the present complainant a copycat? Hardly likely," he said.

"Few would care to make public such a very shameful thing as being sodomised. In fact, the last time at least two people came to see me claiming they were sodomised by Anwar.

"But they were unwilling to make a report or be witnesses in court. One of them, however, did see the imam of Masjid Negara (Taib Azimuddin, now a PAS MP) to seek advice on the religious angle," he added.

On June 28, Saiful - who was Anwar's former aide - lodged a police report claiming that the politician had sodomised him. The latter has denied this.

However, Mahathir said: "There are certain habits which are not easy to be rid off. Habitual smokers will tell you that. So will drug addicts."

'He refused to swear'

He also pointed out that Anwar had "practically refused" to swear on the Quran while Saiful on the other hand was willing to do so in front of religious authorities.

Mahathir also said Anwar can be convincing in his arguments especially with those who want to believe in him.

"The Western press has already concluded that this accusation against Anwar is the same old political plot to prevent him from becoming the prime minister.

"The last time it was I who was the prime mover. (Prime Minister) Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) has denied he is involved this time, but the Western press and the American friends of Anwar will not be convinced and will not let him get off the hook," he added.

In 1998, Mahathir had sacked Anwar as his deputy and the latter was subsequently charged for abuse of power and sodomy.

Anwar had claimed that the allegations were part of a political conspiracy to oust him.