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US lawyer faces uphill battle in defending Anwar

YOURSAY | ‘Sri Ram put up the very best defence possible… And yet he failed.’

Overwhelming evidence to show Anwar didn't do it, says US lawyer

Vijay47: While US lawyer Kimberly Motley's efforts to have former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim freed is most welcome, we should also allow some reality to creep in.

The various points she quoted in attacking the prosecution's stand and evidence are all good, but hardly new. These were the very issues presented by Anwar's team of lawyers and it must be remembered that this team comprised the best lawyers in the country.

Motley, I mean no disrespect to you; you are a recognised face in international litigation but regarding your lines of defence, Anwar's local team has already been there and done that.

While we have to be optimistic about developments in Malaysia, it would be a cold day in hell before a Malaysian court at the higher level would agree to reopen the case, let alone "find in favour of the defendant".

No, you cannot approach the bench. You are already in Malaysia, Kimberley, enjoy the weather, enjoy the food and look out for our motley crew of purse snatchers.

Anonymous 1890491455255851: Hopefully, she can take on this most unjust system. It's a major brick wall to break through.

Most of us believe the sodomy case was a set-up based on all that went on, but still, Anwar was convicted.

That man has been persecuted for speaking out against injustices and yet those responsible for this seem to not have any conscience whatsoever.

Fair&Just: Motley, please do what's necessary. Remember, do not expect proper rule and law being followed here. Treat this place like any pariah African country, or worse.

Then you will be ready for all the improprieties, obstacles, evilness and disgusting practices.

Anonymous 350791436750385: There is no justice in Malaysia. You can argue till the cows come home, but it will not make an iota of difference.

They do not govern through rule of law. All they need to do is to keep the majority of the Malay folk stupid, so they will continue to vote for them.

Roger 5201: She is a reputable international lawyer representing Anwar pro-bono in the interest of justice.

If indeed the evidence is overwhelmingly pointing to a travesty of justice, why is our home minister not even interested to hear her out?

Simple Malaysian: Any application to the authorities to enable Motley to act officially will be turned down for obvious reasons. The next step would be for her to work with Anwar's team, but even this will be met with authorities clamping down.

When we see this, it will be confirmed beyond doubt that high-handed actions are aplenty. But then and again, would this surprise anyone?

Anonymous_3f4b: Motley has been paid very well by overseas slush funds bent on smearing the name of the government and to topple PM Najib Razak.

I won't be surprised if the alleged funds are from former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s alleged US$100 billion and this was planned after his handshake with Anwar.

CQ Muar: Anonymous_3f4b, why the need to run down Motley? Your allegations on how she's paid are baseless and unsubstantiated.

Didn't she clearly state that she's here as a pro-bono lawyer to overlook justice, documented with evidence in the Anwar case? And, basically, isn't that precisely her responsibility as a human rights and international litigation representative that she's specialised in?

Personally, I do not know who you are, hiding beneath the pseudonym and making such unwarranted remarks. Please be more responsible, if not for Anwar, at least for the majority of the people in this country.

Mushiro: Yes, Motley, there is abundance of evidence to show that Anwar did not commit sodomy, but this is the Malaysian court, where the law can be bent to please the powers-that-be.

Evidence is not important in our courts, especially in political cases. If our courts are fair, then our lawyers can do it themselves. Motley will be successful to further highlight Anwar's case to the world, but our ministers do not care.

Yes, the accused, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, met government officials two days before the incident, but our 'learned' judge thought nothing of this.

Another point for Motley – Najib (then DPM) initially denied meeting Saiful in his residence, just before the alleged sodomy, but after photo evidence, Najib was forced to admit that he actually met Saiful.

Even this denial and later admission by Najib meant nothing to our 'learned' judge.

Starwars: Motley, while I appreciate your concern, your arguments are not new and are already known to all Malaysians. We have been following Anwar's case since 1998, well before you became a lawyer in 2003.

Gopal Sri Ram, the lead counsel for Anwar after the demise of the legendary Karpal Singh, was called to the Bar in 1970, probably before you were even born.

Tell us something new. Don't just jump into the bandwagon merely for the sake of publicity. Give us a real solution to Anwar's problem.

Cogito Ergo Sum: Yes, Motley you are up against a motley crew of officials. Their only distinction is the fear of the ruling regime. Logic and the law have been ignored with impunity from the day Anwar was charged.

One of our greatest barristers, Sri Ram, put up the very best defence possible that was crystal clear that Anwar was framed. And even he failed.

Unless you have something totally incredible, like a confession from the so-called victim, it will be a tough, uphill battle for you. All the best, nevertheless.


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