Anwar fears for his life

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has sought refuge at the Turkish embassy, claiming his life was in danger.

His flight into diplomatic custody came just as police opened an investigation into a report that he had sodomised a male aid

“I have been told that my assassination has not been ruled out as a means to subvert the people’s will and bring an end to the transformational changes taking place in Malaysia,” he said in a statement issued from the embassy yesterday.

It is learnt PKR is going to lodge a police report today against Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.

The report alleges Musa and Abdul Gani fabricated evidence in the charges against Anwar in 1998.

Anwar claimed Saturday’s sodomy allegation was a replay of that year’s events when he was sacked as deputy prime minister.

He thanked the Turkish ambassador for offering safe refuge within the embassy.

The decision to remove Anwar to a safer place was made by the political bureau and supreme council in a meeting which ended at 5am yesterday.

Anwar was moved from the Quality Hotel in Shah Alam in an unmarked car to the embassy, giving the media the slip.

He was at the hotel with other PKR officials for a two-day retreat to discuss the way forward for the party.

Asked when and why the Turkish embassy was chosen, PKR vice-president Azmin Ali said enquiries were made to several embassies late Saturday night and it was the first to respond positively.

“In this pressing situation, we immediately made the necessary arrangements. During our discussion late last night several communications took place between the party and several embassies.”

Azmin said Anwar was not seeking asylum.

“In the near future, for his safety, we feel that he needs to be in a safe place and that was the decision of the party leadership and he has agreed to it,” he said.

PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohamad Akin said outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence yesterday that the party was concerned for Anwar’s safety.

“He has asked me to advise the supporters to calm down and not to get emotional.”

During the gathering by PKR supporters, Anwar did not appear.

Rumours that his wife and daughter Nurul Izzah were on the way to the embassy to meet him proved unfounded.

Cheras police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Amir Mohd Hashim said he received a call about 5pm about people gathering outside the embassy.

“To control the situation and ensure that nothing untoward happens, about 20 policemen including six in anti-riot gear were deployed to the scene.”

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