Anwar says may know man in sex video

The Malaysian Insider – Thu, May 19, 2011
By Clara Chooi


KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today that he might know who the man is in the sex video that allegedly features him, after he was asked about the scandal on a live online chat session on Yahoo news.
“I have some suspects; big stomach and saggy breasts, ha ha,” he said, when asked if he knew the identity of the man in the video.
During the 75-minute long chat session hosted by Yahoo! Malaysia, the Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader was repeatedly plied with queries on his alleged involvement in the video.
When insisting on his innocence, Anwar even appeared to scold one Yahoo reader for pointing out that experts from South Korea and the US had already confirmed the video’s authenticity.
Online reader Nik Abdul had asked, “Datuk Seri: How is your opinion when expert from South Korea and US confirm that individual from sex tape seems like your face? Do you think that is conspiracy too?”
In response, Anwar said, “Typical example how smart guys like you can be duped by Umno media. Which expert? Why can’t they be transparent?”
On April 14, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar had declared the video as authentic, likely proving claims that the man featured in the 21-minute recording was indeed Anwar.
Ismail had said the identity of the man was verified based on strong evidence obtained during investigations, although he declined to reveal the identity of the man in the video as it could interfere with the ongoing investigation.
The police were also reported to have sought the assistance of experts from the United States and South Korea to study the authenticity of the video.
Last Friday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said that new expert findings had backed up earlier conclusions that the video had not been doctored.
“We have received the report from foreign experts and from the report, it reaffirms our experts’ findings about the authenticity of the video . . . that it is authentic, and not edited. If the video is authentic, you can make your own assumptions,” he had told reporters at its headquarters here.
Despite this, Anwar continued to stand by his denial today and also insisted there was no need for him to explain his decision not to surrender his Omega watch, which was purportedly seen in the video, to the authorities to prove his innocence.
A viewer with the pseudonym Dr MiM asked, “DSAI, what is the rationale of avoiding a simple ‘show your Omega watch’ to the press and public? Logically, this simple move will ease your moral issues.”
Anwar replied, “What is the issue? First, Eskay claimed that it was given by a Saudi prince. Then, it was bought in Taiwan in 2004 (when I was in jail). Why is there the need for me to explain?”
Another reader called Brandon then asked if PR would split if Anwar were to be jailed for sodomy, now a possibility after the leader was ordered to defend the charge in court on Monday.
Anwar, however, brushed off the notion, saying that there was “no reason” for him to be jailed.”
“No reason to for me to be jailed based on facts and law. For now, reformasi!” he replied.
He insisted that all charges against him had been “trumped up” and was the result of a conspiracy by Umno leaders to “deflect from central issues of governance, endemic corruption and abuse of power”.
“We shall overcome,” Anwar promised.
He also accused the prosecution in his Sodomy II trial of being “malicious”, adding this was why key witnesses had not been called.
Anwar said this in response to a question on why, if he had been at a meeting during the time of the alleged sodomy act with Saiful Bukhari Azlan, witnesses at the meeting were not called to testify.
“The prosecution was malicious. That’s the reason why key witnesses were not called. Eg: Those involved in the meeting and Dr Osman. This will be issues raised in my defence,” he said.
At one point, Anwar was also queried on how a PR government would treat lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals and transgenders (LGBTs) if it were to capture Putrajaya.
The question, which came from Yahoo! Newsroom (Malaysia) also asked if a non-discriminatory environment for the LGBTs would be agreed on by Islamist party PAS.
“We recognise importance of family and the institution of marriage. But we should not unduly harass or discriminate others. The answer is through education and PAS accept this view,” said Anwar.