Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor and de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim refused to undergo a DNA test on the grounds of having no confidence in the system and on the advice of his lawyers and local and overseas DNA experts.

Anwar told a press conference at his home that he believed fabrication of DNA evidence was possible because of the 1998 false allegation of sodomy and because his accuser (Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan) was still under police custody.

“I have my reasons, based on the advice of my lawyers and local and foreign DNA experts. My DNA sample is already with the police. Secondly, the accuser is in police custody. Anything can happen. Why the need for DNA from me?

“In the 1998-99 case, the blood sample was forcefully taken from HKL on the instruction of Musa Hasan, according to the testimony of Dr Zahari. There was an attempt to fabricate. When we exposed it, the charge was withdrawn,” he said.

Anwar was arrested and brought to the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters at 2.30pm yesterday where he was held for questioning until about 7.30pm, and was supposed to be released on police bail last night itself.



However, he was only released at 9.45 this morning because the police apparently had further questioning at 7.30am.

“Last night, I was held in the lock-up for big-time criminals on the 7th floor. The officers treated me well, but I had to lie down on the cement floor without any floor cover.

“I was feeling cold and in pain. At 1am, Azizah (Anwar’s wife) came to bring a towel to place over the cold floor. This morning when I arrived home I was given a pain-relief injection by my personal doctor and I had to lie down a bit to get better,” he continued.

Anwar also questioned the police’s procedures since they did not let him go last night because he refused to give a blood sample. He still had not given his blood sample when he was released.

He said he did not mind giving his DNA sample but wanted assurances that there would be no fabrication.

Should international experts check the sample, Anwar again questioned whether anyone could guarantee that there would be no fabrication.

He also said that he had not seen Saiful’s police report against him. “Until now I have not seen the report. Can you imagine I was asked to stay overnight at the lock-up. Spent five and a half hours answering questions. And I have not seen Saiful’s report,” he added.

When asked if he would like to meet his accuser, Anwar had this to say: “It’s just an episode in a drama. This is a serious accusation involving a crime. It should be investigated. If there is no proof and basis, the accuser should be arrested and the accused set free.”