BY: ERMIZI MUHAMAD
PUTRAJAYA, OCT 12: Support for the release of KEADILAN de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was obvious when the public started to gather at the Palace of Justice’s compound on the morning of October 12.
This was following a trial request to review the sodomy II prosecution case against the former Opposition Leader in February 2015.
Many in the crowd carried banners and streamers in support of Anwar’s release, and for the sake of peace in the country.
The crowd which started gathering since 7 am were calling out ‘Bebas Anwar’ and ‘Reformasi’, words synonimous with Anwar Ibrahim during his struggle of Reformasi since 1998.
Among top leaders who were present to show support were KEADILAN Women’s Chief Zuraida Kamarudin, KEADILAN Vice President Tian Chua and the Central Women’s Deputy Chief Haniza Talha.
Anwar, through his lawyer Kimberly Motley from the United States, had previously issued a statement that there was evidence linking his innocence on the political charges against him.
The trial this morning is the final process of his appeal related to his conviction of sodomy on his former aide, Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
The Federal Court had earlier upheld his five-year jail term upon Anwar’s guilty conviction.
The decision was conveyed by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria, who headed the Federal Court panel of five judges last year.
Anwar is currently serving his five-year prison sentence in Sungai Buloh.
