FAC News

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Mahathir says Anwar's injuries could be self-inflicted

Issue: Oct 5, 1998

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 30 Kyodo - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad suggested it was "not impossible" that the injuries of sacked Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's were self-inflicted while he was under police custody, the official news agency Bernama reported Wednesday.

"According to some quarters, this is not something that is impossible as he will gain much mileage if it can be shown that he is being tortured by police," Bernama quoted Mahathir as telling reporters at his office.

Mahathir said he has nevertheless ordered a full inquiry into the alleged police brutality against Anwar, who appeared in court Tuesday with a black eye and bruises after having been arrested Sept. 20 on charges of inciting public unrest. The prime minister said he does not dismiss the possibility that Anwar could have provoked police until they had to "restrain" him.

Anwar told the court Tuesday that on the night of his arrest he was handcuffed and blindfolded by police before being punched and slapped about the head and neck until he passed out. He said he was refused medical treatment until five days later.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement later Tuesday saying, "We are deeply concerned by reports of police brutality during the incarceration of Anwar." "These reports should be investigated, and if verified, the perpetrators should be brought to justice," it said.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Wednesday reiterated concern of a "greater embrace of authoritarianism" in Malaysia. "I am concerned of the prospect, the sight, the specter of the apparatus of the state being used to settle political scores," he said.

Amnesty International issued a statement late Tuesday saying Anwar's treatment at the hands of the police "shows the government's blatant disregard for basic human rights."

"If a high-profile figure can be subjected to such treatment, we fear for the safety of those who are not so well known and who continue to be denied access to lawyers and their families," the statement said.

Amnesty reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Anwar and 16 other "prisoners of conscience" held under the draconian Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.

Mahathir, who is also home minister in charge of the police force, was quoted by Bernama as saying there is no need for police to assault Anwar as "they need not secure a confession from him."

"The police are also mindful that they will have to take Anwar to court and obviously when brought to court and he is seen with injuries, this will only invite allegations against the police," he said.

Mahathir said a special team of police officers not connected with the Special Branch -- the police intelligence unit in charge of Anwar's detention -- will carry out the investigation. Anwar, who has been charged with five counts of corruption and five counts of sodomy, pleaded innocent to all of them in court appearances Tuesday and Wednesday.

He has said the charges against him are part of a political conspiracy to discredit him and prevent him from challenging Mahathir's leadership and exposing high-level corruption.

At his Wednesday court appearance, Anwar again complained of "body pains" and had applied to the court for his own doctor to be allowed to examine him. The court allowed him to be examined, but only by a government-appointed doctor.

His wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, expressed shock at Mahathir's suggestion that her husband's injuries might be self-inflicted. "Really, I am shocked that a former medical doctor can say this without personally examining him," she said.

Mahathir is a medical doctor by training. The main opposition Democratic Action Party issued a statement calling on Mahathir and police Inspector General Tan Sri Rahim Noor "to assume full responsibility for police brutality against Anwar Ibrahim while in detention to restore public confidence in the professionalism of the police force."