Anwar sues Mahathir for calling him gay

Former Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim is suing his former boss, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, over remarks describing him as a 'gay' and a 'sodomiser'.









Former Malaysian deputy prime

minister Anwar Ibrahim
The former prime minister made these remarks last September at a press conference after a human rights conference.


He was quoted as saying: “I cannot have a sodomiser in my Cabinet. Imagine a gay PM - nobody will be safe.”


In the statement of claim for libel, Anwar's lawyer S. N. Nair said the words suggested that the former deputy premier was a pervert, unfit to hold political office, a man of criminal tendencies and dangerous to Malaysian society.


The remarks were reported widely in the regional media, including The Straits Times.


Nair said Mahathir spoke the words with the intention of damaging Anwar's political standing in order to safeguard his own past political interest.


It was Mahathir who sacked Anwar from office in 1998 on the grounds that his then-deputy was a homosexual.


The former premier has indicated that he will not back down on his claim.


Mahathir relied on a Federal Court judgment handed down when it released Anwar from a nine-year jail term for sodomy.


The Federal Court said that it had found evidence that Anwar and his adopted brother, Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja, were involved in homosexual activities but freed them because the prosecution had failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.


It is not certain yet if the libel suit will proceed to a hearing but if it does, Mahathir will have to take the witness stand.


That would be a golden opportunity for Anwar to revive his contention that he was a victim of a conspiracy at the highest levels because he was a political threat.









Mahathir Mohamad

The former leader had once tried to sue Mahathir in 1998 over the same issue but the suit was dismissed by the court as being frivolous, and never went to trial.


But the judiciary then was not perceived to be as independent and courageous as it is today.


Mahathir is also no longer part of the administration.


If the libel suit proceeds to full hearing, the clash between the enemies is likely to open up old wounds.

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