Commotion in Dewan Rakyat when Khairy asks Anwar to give DNA sample - NST

KUALA LUMPUR, WED: Jul 16, 2008

A commotion occurred during the Dewan Rakyat sitting today when Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) asked Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to give his DNA sample to the police to assist in the investigation into the allegation of sodomy against him.
“We can’t force anyone to give their DNA sample (but) if he (Anwar) is not afraid of the truth, I hope he (Anwar) will be present (at the Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters), and if he dares, give the DNA sample to test whether the police report was correct or wrong. This is important,” he said when debating the Supplementary Supply (2008) Bill 2008.

Khairy’s comments prompted several opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) to stand including Anwar’s wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) who questioned the statement as though Khairy had knowledge of the contents of the police report.

Wan Azizah, who is also the PKR president, said: “Why is Rembau (MP Khairy) asking for the DNA from my husband. The police report lodged was not given to us, how did Rembau come to know about it, is it possible that Rembau knows the contents of the police report.” The report against Anwar was lodged by Anwar’s former personal assistant, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Khairy later clarified that he knew nothing about the police investigation on the case but, he said, the DNA sample was crucial as evidence.
“The police report was not given to the Opposition Leader (Wan Azizah) because her husband was not present at the Police Station. I know nothing about the investigation, what made me ask for the DNA was the nature of the police report.

“This is a sodomy charge and one of the proofs needed is the DNA sample,” he said.

Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) later stood up and suggested that Khairy be referred to the special committee for action to be taken.

Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) said that Standing Order 36(12) required Khairy to state his stand that the police report was not given because Anwar had yet to give his statement to the police.

“Rembau said that because Anwar had yet to give his statement, he was not given the report, does Rembau still maintain that the actual reason why Anwar was not given the police report was because Anwar had not given his statement,” he said.

This led to a heated exchange of words between the government backbenchers and the opposition to the extent that Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had to pacify the MPs.

“If that’s the stand of Rembau, then it’s his own business, it’s the police who are making the investigation, the police won’t take instructions from Rembau,” said Wan Junaidi

Khairy’s debate again drew a heated argument when he said that Anwar’s promise to bring down the price of fuel by 50 sen if the Pakatan Rakyat were to form the government was a lie and manipulation.

Khairy said this was contrary to the party’s election pledge that it would reduce the fuel price to less than RM1.92.

“But last night (during the debate between Anwar and Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek), the lie was exposed that he was only able to promise a price reduction of 50 sen from RM2.70 per litre to RM2.20 which is still higher than the RM1.92 as promised during the general election,” he said.

Khairy’s statement drew a response from Mohamed Azmin who said that what was mentioned by Anwar was an initial measure, taking into account the current economic situation.

“Under the present economic situation, how can we bring down the price drastically, this is the initial stage and if the situation permits it, we will reduce the price further so that the people will benefit,” he said.