Being a victim myself, I feel for these people, this was the response of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim to a question on police abuse.

"I can imagine how people are abused in that manner and stripped naked," he said to the latest controversy over a video-clip showing a woman being forced to do ear squats in the nude by a policewoman.

Anwar, who was sacked from the government in 1998 and subsequently arrested, was physically assaulted by then former inspector-general of police Rahim Noor.

The charismatic politician, who is now the advisor of an opposition party led by his wife, made headlines around the world when he was brought to the court nursing a bruised eye.

"If this (the video-clip) incident had not already sank into the conscience of Malaysians, nothing will," said Anwar when met at a DeepaRaya open house at his residence in Kuala Lumpur.

He also rebuked the government's attempt to mend the rift with China over the perception that local authorities were targeting its nationals.

The latest incident, exposed by a DAP leader, also involves a woman believed to be of Chinese origin.

"Just because it involves a Chinese, (Home Affairs Minister Azmi Khalid) goes to apologise in China. So what? Does it stop the problem? There is no remorse nor regret (by the government)," he said.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has instructed Azmi to go to China in order to clear the air over the issue.

Nothing will change

Despite the public outrage, Anwar believes that it will not bring about immediate changes to the police force here.

He said the public is no stranger to stories of police abuse and many of these cases have been chronicled by the Royal Police Commission.

"Even after the Royal Police Commission (report was tabled), nothing has changed... The point is, you can't expect justice from this administration," he added

Asked why the government is reluctant to reform the police, he replied: "The entire system is blatantly corrupt and morally decadent, I don't think only the police should be blamed."

Yesterday, Abdullah and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak had expressed anger over the incident and called for an immediate investigation.

The police have also vowed to pursue the matter impartially and punish those responsible.