Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today rejected any suggestions that the sodomy trial verdict this morning will affect his party’s performance in the next general election.

In a statement today, the Rembau MP said that Umno is “unfazed” by the acquittal of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim as it is confident in the transformation programme spearheaded by the prime minister.

“To us, whether or not the rakyat accepts BN in the next general election is not determined by the outcome of Anwar’s case. This is a personal matter which has concluded,” he said.

Khairy said the people would weigh their decisions on “BN’s determination” under PM Najib Abdul Razak whose political and economic policies have led to a “stronger democracy” and a more “progressive and developed country”.

He added that moves to abolish oppressive regulations have received “solid support by the rakyat, especially the young”, and will determine the outcome of the polls.

Khairy also said that the verdict today proves that the judiciary is undergoing reform, thus “rebutting claims of any political interference in court cases”.

‘Not first time court has sided with Anwar’

“This is not the first time the judiciary has sided with Anwar. In 2004, the Federal Court freed  him from the same charges.

“Opposition leaders have also obtained justice from the courts including (DAP secretary-general) Lim Guan Eng who recently won a defamation case against Utusan Malaysia,” he said.

The fact that former Selangor MB Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was found guilty for a graft charge last year also reflected judicial independence.

Anwar was today acquitted of the charge of sodomising his aide Saiful Bukhari Mohd Azlan in 2008, in a surprise end to a politically charged two-year trial.

The prosecution has 10 days to file an appeal against the decision, and are still deliberating on the matter.