Poll respondents: Unaware but hopeful for Anwars appeal decision tomorrow

comments     Wong Joon Ian     Published     Updated

Malaysiakini hits the streets to find out what citizens out there have to say about the final appeal of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's six-year jail sentence for corruption.

Many people were unaware that the Federal Court decision would be announced tomorrow.

Aishah Rohani, 43, a student at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said she was unaware that the verdict would be delivered tomorrow as she was not interested in politics. However, she is hoping Anwar's sentence would be overturned.

Another student, Au Keng Weng, 22, also did not know about the important day for Anwar tomorrow. "I don't usually follow the news anyway. I think he will be found not guilty, and I feel that the judicial system is quite good."

Student Matthias Chang, 19, was not aware either but insisted that it did not matter as he is just "not interested" in the case.

Software executive M V Sethu, 31, said he was unaware that the verdict would be delivered tomorrow though he reads the news regularly. "I think they are going to find him guilty because whoever is against the government will be punished. The legal system in place is good, but there is no transparency."

Account executive Zairul Hisham, 27, is a regular reader of The Star but did not know the appeal decision would be announced tomorrow. "I think Anwar will most probably be found innocent, although the legal system needs to be changed," he said.

Decision tomorrow

Anwar will know tomorrow the decision by the Federal Court on his appeal against his conviction and six-year jail sentence on charges of corrupt practices.

His supporters are expected to turn out in full force at the court despite the lack of news on it in the media.

The appeal is the final legal recourse for Anwar to overturn his imprisonment term after Kuala Lumpur High Court judge S Augustine Paul found him guilty on April 14, 1999. He is also to serve a separate nine-year sentence for sodomy.

The court reserved its judgment on the appeal on April 2 after it heard submissions from the prosecution and Anwar over eight days.

Chief Justice Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah, who heard the appeal with Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Steve Shim and Federal Court judge Haidar Mohd Noor, said then that the court needed more time to deliberate on the matters raised.

Tomorrow's appeal verdict will once again thrust Anwar and the reformasi movement into the limelight. The movement was formed to push for reforms in the country after Anwar's sacking and gathered momentum during the subsequent trial.

Cynical affair

A 32-year-old record store manager who wanted to be known as 'Judas Iscariot', was more cynical about the whole affair.

"I don't bother to keep up with local news because it's all manipulated, so I didn't know the verdict is due tomorrow. Somebody has to be the scapegoat so I think he will be found guilty.

"Our judicial system is like an auction, it's totally up for sale. Anyway, most people don't care about the verdict as long as they are making a living for themselves," he remarked wrily.

A 40-year-old manager who gave his name as 'Porky' said, "I am aware of the appeal but I didn't know the verdict is due tomorrow. The odds are stacked against Anwar. I mean, this is Malaysia, it isn't a case of truth [prevails all]. I believe our judicial process is not exactly fair.

"It's basically a foregone conclusion. I didn't have much confidence in the judge (Paul) then," he said.

Those who were aware of the verdict decision tomorrow said they hope Anwar's appeal will be granted.

Mazir, 26, an artist says, "Yes, I know the verdict will be read tomorrow. It doesn't matter what the verdict is, I think he is not guilty. Anwar is always right. I feel the judicial system is corrupt, in fact, not just the courts, but the whole system, from the law to the education system."

Student Johan Cheah, 20, said he was aware that the verdict was due tomorrow. "But if they can jail a good guy like Anwar, then they are doing a bad thing," he added.



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