Deputy inspector-general of police Ismail Omar today said the police will be exploring legal avenues to acquire a sample of Anwar Ibrahim’s DNA.

He said this in response to a question if the police would obtain a court order to compel the PKR de facto to provide a sample to facilitate investigations into the sodomy allegation against the latter.

ismail omar police According to Ismail, Anwar did not cooperate with the police and medical staff when they asked him to provide a sample following his arrest yesterday.

"We are looking into legal aspects as well as others on how to go about the situation in order to get Anwar’s DNA sample," he told a press conference at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters.

Anwar had refused to undergo a full medical examination or provide a DNA sample when he was taken to Hospital Kuala Lumpur last night.

His lawyer Sankara Nair said that under the law, Anwar is not obliged to provide the police with a DNA sample.

anwar arrest sequence 170708 The police, however, will step up efforts to gather more evidence, including finding ways to attain the sample in a bid to complete the investigation.

"The matter is of public interest and I have instructed the investigating officer (IO) to speed up the investigation. The IO is responsible for collecting all necessary evidence to facilitate the investigation," said Ismail.

When queried on the number of people who have been called in for questioning, Ismail said a handful have been called in to assist with the probe.

'Arrest done according to law'

Ismail also justified Anwar’s arrest yesterday, saying the police had acted on "credible and reasonable evidence" that the politician was not going to show up at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters as promised.

He also said the arrest was "normal and nothing to fuss about" as it was done in accordance with existing laws.

Anwar was arrested just outside his house an hour earlier than the 2pm deadline given by the police to present himself at the police headquarters to have his statement recorded pertaining to the sodomy allegation against him.

The opposition leader taken away by policemen sporting balaclavas.

Anwar’s wife, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Ismail had claimed that her husband had been roughed up by the police.

However, Ismail denied this. He said the police had treated the former deputy premier respectfully and "did not cross the limits."

"Anwar received good treatment. He was given access to his lawyers and we even facilitated his needs to pray while he was in detention. His wife was also allowed to see him so that she could give him his medicine," said the deputy police chief.

Ismail called on the public, especially PKR supporters, not to jump to conclusions with regard to the manner in which Anwar was detained and urged them to remain calm.