Going by the Umno Youth forum on Sodomy II, prosecutor Muhammad Shafee Abdullah's upcoming talk on the case in Permatang Pauh, Penang, promises to be another off-colour affair.

But unlike Monday's forum, which was open to all and streamed live on Akademi Kepimpinan Kapten Hussein (Akhi)'s website, Shafee's talk this Saturday at 9pm will be by “invitation only”.

A message circulating on instant messenger application WhatsApp reads: “Special Programme with Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah ( right ) on legal issues relating to the Anwar Ibrahim sodomy case.”

Those interested to attend are also told to send a WhatsApp message to a number listed to confirm a seat.

The contact person, who declined to be named, told Malaysiakini that the event is not meant for students but for the BN state liaison committee.

 

Organised by Umno Penang, the event was initially planned to be held at UiTM Penang, located at Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's constituency of Permatang Pauh.

However, it is understood that organisers are now trying to secure a venue at Seberang Perai Polytechnic, also located in the constituency.

'Closed door'

When contacted, Seberang Perai Polytechnic confirmed the organisers are in the midst of booking a venue there and that the event is “closed door”.

The polytechnic has nothing to do with the programme and is merely providing the space for a fee, as it does for any event, the officer dealing with the booking said.

A UiTM Penang student affairs department officer also confirms that no such talk will be held at its campus.

At the forum on Monday, Shafee gave graphic details of the sodomy act, revealing parts of the testimony he claimed were given ‘in camera’ during the seven-year Sodomy II trial.

The Federal Court convicted Anwar of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan ( left ) in 2008, and was sentenced to five years in jail, but Anwar decries political conspiracy.

On Monday, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said BN will no longer keep quiet on accusations that it framed Anwar, now that the case is over.