PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's pleads to authorities not to give him the “black eye again” if he is to be jailed come this October 28.
 
"If it is fated that I am jailed again, please don't beat or bruise me again," Anwar pleaded at a ceramah to a crowd of 2,000 in Seberang Jaya last night.
 
Anwar recalled that while he was in detention in 1998 at the Bukit Aman police headquarters -when he ended up with a black-eye - former Indonesian president BJ Habibie had telephoned then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed to express his concerns.
 
"Habibie had been informed by his intelligence services that Anwar was badly beaten during detention.
 
"Mahathir had curtly replied that the country had laws and that he knew how to take care of things at home.
 
"Before I was detained, I didn't believe I would be beaten. Umno may be bad but not that bad, I had thought. But I was hit and they denied, worst still, they said I had beaten myself up," he added.

Former inspector general of police Rahim Noor pleaded guilty to the offence on March 15, 2000 at the Sessions Court and was jailed two months and fined RM2,000.

 
The crowd at last night's event had braved the drizzle and sat on wet and muddy ground to hear his 'farewell' speech in case he goes to prison next week.
 
In 2006, Anwar was released from prison after serving a six year jail term for abuse of power related to his first sodomy charge
 
Anwar has been convicted for a second sodomy charge and the Court of Appeal has sentenced him to a five year jail term.
 
He is appealing the jail sentence and the Federal Court will decide the matter on Oct 28 and 29.

'Leaders come and go, but Pakatan stays'

 

Anwar said that if he is jailed, Permatang Pauh will go for a by-election and PKR will place a candidate who will obtain much support.
 
He expressed hope that during the polls, voters will not forgo the opportunity to uphold Pakatan's principles of justice for all.
 
"Leaders come and go but Pakatan's relationship must be stabilised and strenghtened," said the five term MP.
 
Anwar also appealed for doa (prayer) from the people to give him strength but said he remains confident that he can face whatever outcome of the court decision.
 
"If this is what it takes to raise awareness of the people for the need for reformasi, I am prepared to sacrifice myself," said the opposition leader.
 
"I have also prepared which Hadith and verses to memorise.

"I am more prepared now as I do not want to be surprised again," he quipped.

 
"The Federal Court decision may be on Oct 29 as postponing the date may encourage more people to attend the court case," Anwar added.

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