KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar has been accused of interfering with investigations into the sodomy allegations against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In a statement read by his counsel, R. Sivarasa, yesterday, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader said statements made by senior government officials raised concerns that a political conspiracy was very much at play.

"It is to smear the credibility and reputation of our client. Syed Hamid should know better than to attempt to exert his influence on this matter, especially as he is a senior minister," Sivarasa said at Anwar's house in Bukit Segambut.

Referring to a quote by Syed Hamid in the New Straits Times yesterday ("What is he afraid of? He can have his own doctor present when giving the sample"), Sivarasa said this showed a misunderstanding of the concerns raised over the introduction of DNA evidence.

"In the 1998/99 trials, there was fabrication of DNA evidence. The people implicated are the same players who are involved in the present case."
He was referring to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who were then the senior investigating officer and the head of prosecution, respectively.

Anwar had on July 1 lodged a police report against the two, alleging that they had fabricated evidence against him in the infamous "black eye" incident, where he was assaulted by the then inspector-general of police Tan Sri Mohd Rahim Noor.

"Our client's concerns are therefore not resolved, as Syed Hamid believes."

Syed Hamid had said that if Anwar was afraid that the DNA evidence would be tampered with, he could have his own doctor present or the government could bring in foreign medical experts.

Sivarasa also reiterated that was no justification for Anwar to undergo DNA tests as they had not been given a copy of complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's report.

"It is also not right to imply that Anwar was not cooperating with the police when he agreed to meet with police at a prearranged date and time."