Malaysia's Anwar claims he can still seize power

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-08 15:01

Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, urged prosecutors to drop the charge, saying he has an alibi and other evidence to prove his innocence, including a statement by a doctor who claimed police harassed him after he examined Saiful.

"They are making a mockery of the process," Anwar said. "Give me a break. I've gone through hell already. ... I'm convinced ultimately I'll be vindicated."

The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said in a statement late Thursday that Washington "is paying close attention to the situation, as are many other friends of Malaysia."

"It is our hope that the rule of law will be applied fairly and transparently," it said.

By being free on bail, Anwar can campaign for this month's by-election in a parliamentary seat that his wife vacated last week. He is expected to easily win because the constituency has been his stronghold for nearly three decades.

Anwar was ousted from the government in 1998 and imprisoned over earlier accusations that he sodomized his driver and abused his power to cover up the offense.

A court quashed the sodomy conviction and freed him in 2004, but the corruption conviction barred him from office until April 2008. Anwar denied the charges.

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