It is often said that blood is thicker than water, but according to former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan, such philosophy does not apply when one is a police officer.

Back in 1998, Musa was then the deputy director of the Bukit Aman prosecution and legal department and investigation officer on the sodomy allegations against former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

ex-igp musa hassan interview with malaysiakini 4 It was then when Musa ( right ) claimed to have a brush with his younger politician brother Fuad, who had tried to persuade the former to side with Anwar.

The irony of all this, according to Musa, was that Anwar had used his powers as DPM to appoint him as the investigating officer.

"I do not know why he (Anwar) chose me of all the officers, but my younger brother and then politician, Fuad, met me saying I should help Anwar.

"I told Fuad off that as a police officer I have to remain neutral. I warned Fuad that should he interfere or get involved in the investigations, I would arrest him although he is my brother," he said.

Fuad was formerly Hulu Klang state legislative assemblyperson and was once actively involved with Muslim youth group Abim, which Anwar once led. Fuad is now director-general of the Special Affairs Department (Jasa).

Daily progress reports

Musa is the eldest of three siblings. The third is television celebrity Jalaluddin of the ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire' fame.

Anwar's decision to appoint Musa as the investigation officer was mentioned in then former Special Branch director Mohamad Said Awang's testimony during the trial.

NONE According to Musa, Anwar ( far right in photo ) had sought daily progress reports, but he could not oblige the DPM.

"Anwar also wanted me to report to him every night on the investigations. I told Anwar that I only report to the (then) IGP (Rahim Noor).

"Anwar replied that he was the complainant and I told him the allegation was against him and that if he was not guilty, it would be alright. But what if the incident really happened?" he narrated.

Although conviction against Anwar's in the first sodomy trial had been overturned by the Federal Court, Musa is nevertheless sticking to the claim that the former deputy premier was guilty as charged.

Change of dates

Musa also said the hiccups involving the dates of the alleged sodomy act was not his doing.

Alleged sodomy victim Azizan Abu Bakar, Anwar's family driver, had initially claimed it took place in Tivoli Villa in Bangsar at a time when the building was found not yet completed .

The prosecution later hastily changed the date of the alleged sodomy act, one of the many controversies involving the trial.

Defending the integrity of his investigations, Musa said that decision to change the dates at the beginning of the trial was made solely by the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"Azizan had lodged the report for some time... the investigation was complete, only he did not remember the exact date as it happened a long time ago... resulting in the prosecution failing to pinpoint the date.

lingam tape panel meeting 031007 abdul gani patail "As to the changing of the date - that you have to ask the attorney-general's side," said Musa, who conceded that this had affected public perception on the trial.

At the time, the attorney-general was Mokhtar Abdullah, while chief prosecutor was Abdul Gani Patail ( right ), who was later promoted to take over from his boss.

In overturning Anwar's conviction, the Federal Court noted that the prosecutors had submitted three different dates of the alleged sodomy act.

The infamous mattress

On other allegations - including those made by former Kuala Lumpur criminal investigation department chief Mat Zain Ibrahim - that Musa had took blood samples from Anwar in 1998 without his consent, the former police chief claimed he had done so legally.

Musa said he took action after Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in an interview with BBC, claimed that her husband might be forcefully given an injection with the HIV virus while under custody.

NONE The interview was done a day after the balaclava-clad police stormed Anwar's house on Sept 20, 1998 and arrested the former deputy premier ( right ).

"When she made such allegations, I had to make a report as I was afraid the police force was being slandered. Under the law, the police or doctors could ask for blood samples to be tested.

"I took it to check for AIDS. It is not as though I cheated. All this was done according to procedure," said Musa.

Sample also used for DNA testing

When pressed further, Musa admitted he also took Anwar's blood sample for DNA testing.

"Yes, I did use the blood for DNA tests. I used it to test on the mattress.

"I have to conduct a full investigation as the allegations in the book ‘50 reasons why Anwar cannot be PM' was extensive as there was the affair at the Tivoli Villa and other allegations," he said.

anwar ibrahim 1998 sodomy trial court case the bed mattress stain tilam dna 180708 The display of the mattress in court became the focal point of critics who claimed that Anwar was being put through a sham trial. Evidence involving the mattress was later rejected by the court.

Allegations about how the blood and DNA samples were sourced was later revived by Mat Zain in a series of open letters as recent as last year and used by Anwar in a police report against Musa and Abdul Gani for alleged fabrication of evidence.

Controversial doc appointed by AG

Asked about the infamous ‘black-eye incident', Musa revealed that medical witness who claimed that Anwar's black eye could have been self-inflicted was appointed by the then attorney-general.

The witness was Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof from Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

anwar ibrahim black eye small 080206 Musa said there were many police personel in Anwar's lock-up cell when he was punched in the face, including Rahim and former Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Investigation Department head Ramli Yusuf.

"There is no intention to fabricate evidence as they (the AG's Chambers) can call their own experts," claimed Musa.

A royal commission of inquiry later concluded that it was Rahim who punched Anwar, causing the infamous bruise on the latter's left eye which was used as the symbol for the reformasi movement and later incorporated into Parti Keadilan Nasional's logo.

VIDEO|7.41 mins

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