Lawyer: Saiful to come out of hiding 'soon'

Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who has been keeping a low profile since accusing opposition stalwart Anwar Ibrahim of sodomising him, will come out of hiding soon.

"(He will appear) once he is ready. I will keep all of you informed," his lawyer Zamri Idrus told a press conference at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.

Zamri ( photo ) said this when asked why Saiful did not attend the press conference.

Prior to taking questions, Zamri read Saiful's handwritten note which called on Anwar and the public to not interfere with police investigations into the matter.

Saiful, who is Anwar’s former aide, urged his former boss not to ' dolak dalik' (twist and turn) the issue.

In the three-paragraph note, Saiful, 23, also said he was waiting for the police to complete their investigations and bring the perpetrator to book.

"I wish to state that there are no reasons for me to falsely accuse Anwar in this matter," he said.

After reading Saiful's statement, Zamri said his client merely wants all quarters to "leave the matter to the police."

Will swear on Quran soon

Asked if Saiful had produced the note in view of the leaked Hospital Puswari medical report , Zamri replied that the note was in view of a lot of matters.

"He just wants everyone to leave this case to the police. Let the police investigate... I don’t know whether it is a medical report or not. We wouldn’t know," he said.

Zamri also refused to confirm or deny the content of the medical report which was leaked to the media. The report had allegedly found no evidence of Saiful was sodomised.

Earlier today, the hospital clarified that the examination carried out on Saiful was not related to sodomy and the doctor who did it was only a general practitioner, and not a specialist.

To a question, Zamri said his client would also be publicly swearing on the Quran soon that he was sodomised by Anwar but could not give a definitive date for this.

He said Saiful was also waiting for the police to wrap up their probe before doing so.

Earlier this month, Saiful had challenged Anwar to swear on the Quran through his online social networking Friendster.com web-page.

Depressed but motivated

Meanwhile, Zamri ( left ) said he was in constant contact with Saiful and that his client was still in the country and is being financially supported by his father.

"Saiful is still under police protection. He made the request (for protection) earlier. He is worried about his safety... his movements are not restricted by the police," he said.

However, Zamri refused to comment when asked if Saiful had received any threats.

The lawyer also told reporters that Saiful had lost weight since the issue erupted and is suffering from depression, but is still motivated to seek justice.

Zamri also confirmed that the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) had not contacted him or his client.

Anwar was called in by Jawi today for questioning pertaining to a complaint which he lodged against Saiful on July 9.

Below are excerpts of the 16-minute press conference:

What does he mean by Anwar 'jangan dolak-dalik'?

He meant that there has been so many reports, such as what happened yesterday - the so-called medical report, so many other things - for him, let the police investigate.

Did he actually go to Hospital Puswari?

I can't comment on that. It is still under investigation.

Is his movement restricted by the police? Otherwise, he could come and see us.

No, his movement is not restricted by the police.

Did he come up with this statement in view of the leaked medical report?

No. He just wants everyone to leave this case to the police. Let the police investigate... I don't know whether it is a medical report or not. We wouldn't know.

What do you mean you wouldn’t know?

We don't know. You call it a medical report. I don't know what is it.

(Saiful's uncle) 'Uncle Pet' commented. He said it is just a short checkup.

That is Uncle Pet's statement.

Puswari officials said earlier that the medical report is 'similar' to the original report. Why do you doubt that it's a medical report?

I have not heard about that. They confirmed that Saiful got himself examined.

Is Saiful aware of the results of the examination?

I can't confirm that.

Did Saiful receive any threatening calls? Does he fear for his safety?

That one, he has answered earlier... I wouldn’t comment on this.

Raja Petra Kamruddin in his blog ( Malaysia Today ) said that Saiful met a high-ranking police officer in a hotel before making a police report. Is that true?

I can't comment on that. We'll leave it to the police.

What does he think about Anwar’s statement that this is a political conspiracy?

This is not a conspiracy.

Why is your client provoking Anwar to swear on the Quran?

His father has said at the press conference that he (Saiful) is willing to swear on the Quran. Today, he also confirmed that he is willing to swear on the Quran.

Why hasn't he done so?

Soon. We shall wait until the police finish their investigation.

Did the police ask you to hold this press conference?

No. I'm not acting for the police.

We don't understand why you are holding this press conference?

Saiful just wants everyone to leave it to the police to complete the investigation. If there is a case, then there will be a case. It's not for us to make any judgement.

So on one hand he is saying people should leave it to the police and on the other hand (Anwar should) swear on the Quran. Can you please clarify this?

That is something different. That is something he is willing to do.

Why would a victim of a sexual assault hold a press conference? That is not normal.

I don't know what that is suppose to mean.

Did Saiful only receive medical attention at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital?

(Laughs) I like the questions.

Are you in possession of any of the medical reports?

No. It's all with the police. You should ask the police. They are doing the investigation.

Watch a 3-min video of the press conference

Previous report

Doctor: No evidence of sodomy