PUTRAJAYA: The prime minister yesterday challenged Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to immediately disprove the sodomy allegation against him by submitting to DNA tests.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said if Anwar had not committed the alleged crime, he should be willing to provide the sample without delay.

"If indeed he is not involved, give the sample now. He said he did not do anything. So he must give a fresh sample to prove that he did not do it. I want to see the results."

Abdullah said the case could be concluded quickly. "We want this to be resolved fast but (until today) it still cannot be done."

On Thursday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar urged Anwar to agree to DNA tests to exonerate himself from the accusation.
The former deputy prime minister and Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser has claimed that DNA evidence could be tampered with to implicate him in the case.

Citing the 1998 sodomy trial where he claimed that evidence against him was concocted, Anwar said the decision not to give a blood sample was made on the advice of his lawyers as well as local and foreign DNA experts.

Abdullah said the government could not control the people's perception of the case, which was sympathetic to Anwar.

"He claimed there would be a repeat (of the black eye incident in 1998). We cannot stop people from believing him. Actually, what he said was not true, not true at all."

The prime minister also said he had assured Anwar's family of his safety. "His wife (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) came to see me and I gave her the assurance that such an incident (black eye) would not happen again.

"I have given the assurance that he will be safe according to the law. We must respect the law. The enforcement authorities also respect the law. The law should serve as guidance to our actions and decisions."

Anwar had also scoffed at the idea of foreign experts being brought in to conduct the DNA tests, claiming that they, too, would not be able to ensure the evidence was sound.

Abdullah also disputed an expression of "serious concerns" by the US State Department on the investigation.

He said there was no conspiracy against Anwar. "Do you believe it? There is no conspiracy or action to set him up, nothing at all."