Acting In Concert...

From The Star Online:

ITEM 1: FIRSTLY, it was The Botak:

Thursday July 17, 2008 MYT 8:32:25 PM
Anwar should have given DNA sample, says Syed Hamid
By SIM LEOI LEOI


KUALA LUMPUR: PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should have consented to giving his DNA sample if he were interested in the truth behind the sodomy allegations against him.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Anwar could have given the sample at the hospital with his own doctor present if he was afraid that this could have been fabricated.

"Under Malaysian law, the police cannot force any person to give a DNA sample without his consent.

"A DNA sample is considered intimate. As we required his consent, we did not proceed with him.

"If he had gone to the extent of lodging a report with the Syariah Court, the best thing for him was to give a DNA sample. Why get into further arguments and controversy?" he told reporters Thursday at his office in the Parliament building here.

"If he is interested in the truth, he should be willing to cooperate. DNA does not lie. Give your sample and let the experts (test) it," he added.

Syed Hamid was commenting on a statement by Anwar's lawyer that the politician had refused to provide a DNA sample when he was brought to Hospital Kuala Lumpur for a medical examination.

Asked if the police could not compare the DNA sample in the sodomy allegation to the one gathered from Anwar back in 1998, Syed Hamid said it was best to get a fresh sample.

"If we had used the old one, then the Opposition would have disputed the results because it was an old sample," he pointed out.

Syed Hamid said he was also scheduled to table a DNA Bill in the Parliament during this meeting, which would make it illegal for anyone to refuse DNA testing for criminal cases.

"It has been outstanding for so long but I decided to cover all possibilities, including the latest technological development in DNA testing. There is still a bit of finetuning needed," he said.

He also did not dismiss the possibility for the Government to obtain forensic help from overseas in the case.

"But this must not interfere with our sovereignty and the conduct of our investigation," he said.

With the latest police actions, Syed Hamid said the complainant in this case - Anwar's former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari - should be satisfied that the force had done its best to probe his allegations.

"Even if it is later to be classified as `no further action', we must prove we have done everything and that there is no conclusive evidence," he said.

Asked if it was not suspicious that Mohd Saiful had gone to complain to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak before lodging a police report, Syed Hamid said in Malaysia, "a minister’s house is open to the public".

On the roadblocks, Syed Hamid claimed he had no knowledge of it and that he himself had been caught in the traffic jams.

On the criminal defamation charge brought against Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Syed Hamid said:

"Every time people make allegations and try to undermine the Government, we can't take action? That's unfair."

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Item 2: NEXT the Rip wan Wrinkled:

Friday July 18, 2008 MYT 9:47:30 PM
There is no conspiracy against Anwar, says PM
By V.P. SUJATA


PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has stressed that there is no political conspiracy against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and has given his assurance for the safety of the PKR adviser.

The Prime Minister said no one should believe that there was a conspiracy or any plans by the Government to victimise the Opposition leader.

He said that he could not stop international perception that there was such a conspiracy as the media had already chosen to believe it.

"They say his sodomy allegation is something like that that had happened before. If one wants to believe, how can we control such things?"

"Actually what they are accusing us of is not right at all," he told reporters here Friday. . Abdullah said he had already given assurance that the investigation on the sodomy allegation on Anwar would be conducted professionally.

He said he had met both Anwar's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PKR vice-president Azmin Ali and assured them of Anwar's safety.

"I can give the assurance. Even his wife met me for a guarantee that a repeat of the earlier "black eye incident" would not happen.

"YB Azmin asked for a assurance and I said he (Anwar) will be safe and that we will investigate according to the provisions of the law," he said.

The Prime Minister urged Anwar to allow the authorities to take samples for a DNA test if he insisted that he was innocent.

"The DNA sample the authorities have is too old, so they need a new sample, what is wrong in giving?

"If he insists that he is not involved, (in sodomy as alleged) she should give the sample now and we will see the results as proof," he said, adding that the police want to solve his case fast but were unable to do so due to the difficulties in getting the DNA sample.

"If we wanted to complete the case fast, it could have been done Thursday but (it is) not finished yet," he said.


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ITEM 3: LATEST ~~ The Most Patriotic Malaysian Keluarga:

Tuesday July 22, 2008

Saiful’s dad wants Anwar to cooperate and not delay probeBy LOH FOON FONG


KUALA LUMPUR: The father of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former aide has urged Anwar to give his DNA sample to expedite investigations.

Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s father Azlan Mohd Lazim said Anwar should stop giving excuses and refusing to cooperate with the police.

Azlan’s statement was read out by Mohd Saiful's lawyer, Zamri Idrus, at a press conference here yesterday. Azlan was not present.

Azlan said the family was angry and sad that Anwar was not giving his full cooperation to the police.


Getting ready: Zambri (left) and Uncle Pet discussing a matter before the press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — Bernama

“Anwar should stop giving excuses,” he said, adding that Mohd Saiful was ready to swear to the truth according to Islamic ways after the police had completed the investigations.

“Most importantly, we urge the authorities to bring the involved party to justice soon,” Azlan said.

Asked why Mohd Saiful and Azlan were not present at the press conference, Zamri said it was not the time for Mohd Saiful to meet the press.

“Mohd Saiful is in a safe place and under police protection and not under police custody,” said Zamri who declined to comment whether he was still in the country.

On whether he had met Mohd Saiful recently, Zamri said he met him a few days ago and his client was in good spirits.

On allegations that pictures of Mohd Saiful posing with ministers suggested he had conspired with them over the sodomy allegations, Zamri said the pictures did not prove anything because people could take photographs anywhere they wanted and Mohd Saiful was a student leader and met ministers at forums.

On why Mohd Saiful lodged a police report only after being sodomised several times, he replied: “How do you know? I also don’t know because this is still under investigation. I am confident of his statement but it should not be linked with the police investigation.”

Zamri said he would defend Mohd Saiful in a civil suit filed by Anwar and would hold a watching brief if there was a criminal trial.

On whether Saiful was gay, he said “no” and declined to comment whether he was forcibly sodomised.

Zamri declined to reveal the content of Mohd Saiful’s police report, saying he did not have a copy although he had seen it.

On whether Mohd Saiful was traumatised, an uncle of Mohd Saiful, known as Uncle Pet, said they would depend on Allah and His strength.

DESIDERATA:

The Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the SAIFUL KELUARGA should take out a Merdeka Bonus from Petronas' RM61BILLION nett profit for FYE March 2008 to form a CONSORTIUM to make a Bolehland Blockbustier to hit the mega screen worldwide on August 31, 2008.

I suggest they call it The Malaysian DNA Saga.
With RM1billion BIG BUCKS, NegaraKu may attract the best movie stars and producers and directors out of Holywood, Bolywood and Cyberjayawood to produce the 3-hour movie in super-quick time so that it makes it -- another Malaysia Boleh! -- into the Guyness Book of Records, yes, sponsored by Dengkill Movie Studio Hadhari Berhad.

It will definitely turn out to be the best blockbustier movie for 2008, surpassing whatever that cometh out of Hollywood, Bollywoood the remaining exciting months of politically and world economically-upstaging Malaysiana. This could be the remdey the US Fed is waiting for to revive the American economy and Bursa Malaysia stockmarket, which in turn will cause a BULL RUN on awe the world markets.

All the peoples of the world will salute the THREE PARIES ACTING IN CONCERT
for their contributions in preventing a collapse in regional economies predicted to start in the great United States of America. And cometh January, 2008 a grateful newly-crowned US President -- Black or White -- will honour NegaraKu the distinct honour as the first country the Prez will visit after his Cornonation. A salute to a succesful monarchy in Bolehland.

So patience, fellow Malaysians, your economic woes will soon be over.
ABILLION-DOLLAR investment from the National Oil Corporation to makethat breakthrough, it's worth every SENse!

Mucho gracias, Saifool Keluarga!
Thank you, Botak!!
Terima kasih, Rip wan Wrinkled!!! And Jean too, I appreciate 'it!!!! -- GraAtful Live Desi


An UPDATE July 23, 2008, from anwaribrahimblog.com:

23 Jul 08

The Malaysian DNA Conundrum
post info
By Anwar Ibrahim


Virtually the whole of Malaysia is now talking about DNA. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) has become a buzz word, featuring in conversations at coffee shops; offices and even our august parliament.

We must thank Crick and Watson who discovered the double stranded helical structure of the DNA molecule in 1954 which has since unleashed a plethora of advances in biotechnology. Forensic DNA is one of the many breakthroughs in this research in an impassioned endeavor towards advancing justice through DNA technology.

Justice and fairness should instead be the buzz word of the rakyat, the parliament , political leadership and the impartial media. This unfortunately is a far cry considering the various statements issued and the nuances of the mainstream media. Overnight, a handful of parliamentarians have turned pseudo-geneticists, shouting for surrender of DNA material ! Some have even sentenced the alleged assailant an unequivocal guilty verdict!

Beginning with the end, it is important to emphasize upfront that with all of the available DNA techniques, conviction cannot be based on DNA evidence ALONE if there are a host of other conflicting and non-corroborative evidence. For example, if a victim claimed rape in a condominium in KL whilst the accused was addressing a seminar in Singapore at the material time, no amount of DNA recovered at the crime scene is going to make any difference.

We hope this would moderate the DNA mania which is incessantly hyped, the latest by the father of the alleged victim.

Notwithstanding, what is worrying from the hypothetical case scenario is, how DNA of the alleged assailant got into the condominium. In the language of forensic medicine, there is an outright breach of the chain of custody in this hypothetical case.

Surrendering blood for DNA testing is NOT the central issue in the current stalemate. Maintaining the chain of custody is the CRITICAL factor for any DNA evidence. It demands a strict record of individuals who have had physical possession of the evidence and the process used to maintain and document the chronological history of the evidence. The chain of custody of the specimens must be strictly guarded to ensure the collection, delivery, testing, storage and rigorous documentation of the results are preserved and protected from any unauthorized and illegal access.

The historic trial of 1998 laid bare the extreme flaws of the country’s DNA squad, by design or otherwise. The grave concern from all quarters, national and international on the conduct of the current investigation is understandable and reasonable given the experience we were subjected to the last time this play was enacted. The accused and family who endured those humiliating moments of the last sham trial must be gutted by this sequelae.

We offer below a short brief on DNA as an idiots guide to the correct medical procedures to be followed in cases of alleged sodomy. It is grounded on back to basics forensic medicine, founded on evidence and not emotions.

1) If the alleged victim claimed “the latest violation” on 26th June 08, had “counsel on 27th June 08 and reported to police on 28th June 08, it is highly likely that nature’s most efficient plumbing system would have flushed out whatever foreign fluids and tissue deposited within that most currently spoken of orifice. Almost all humans need to answer the big call at least once a day!

2) Notwithstanding the above, if indeed the alleged accused’s specimen was obtained from the “hole”, it would be imperative to verify the authenticity of the collection to ensure no foul play was involved in collecting the specimen.

3) DNA from the sample obtained in (2) can then be readily compared with the DNA fingerprint of the accused, assuming his DNA profile from the last trial had been safely archived. That is the role of the National DNA Database. It is hence nonsensical for the incessant calls for the accused to give his fresh blood to perform a match with the sample from (2). Unless of course in typical Malaysia Bolehland fashion, the accused’s DNA fingerprint records have gone missing! This then does not speak well of the professionalism of the investigating team. But then again it is but a recurring theme in so many other investigations of late.

4) The prime minister and the deputy IGP, amongst others have insinuated that old DNA from 10 years ago is of little or no use in the current saga. Let it be known by all and sundry that there is no expiry of DNA. For purposes of DNA fingerprinting alone, even the Jurassic dinosaurs DNA can be analyzed, unless of course there is a sinister intention for use of the accused’s fresh DNA that is almost unthinkable.

We offer the following solution to the current impasse for the authorities kind consideration :

If at all it is legally required for the DNA of the accused to be analyzed from a fresh blood sample, the following is the recommended procedure.

There must be three specimens
a. Blood from the accused
b. Blood from the alleged victim
c. Specimen from the “hole”

There must be two aliquots (portions) of each specimen and these must be presented concurrently to prevent any tampering by either or both parties. The chain of custody of the specimens must be strictly adhered.

DNA analysis of the three specimens can then be conducted independently by a laboratory of their choice (both parties getting 1 aliquot of each specimen). A holding watch of each process can be agreed upon.

DNA matching from the above can then be used as corroborative evidence to either acquit or convict. DNA does not lie provided humans handling them don’t.

As all Malaysian citizens would have realized by now, politics and medicine is a very volatile mix. The political sodomy of medicine in the trial of 1998 should make all of us even more wary of the innuendos which the current saga brings to fore.. This, despite the exclusion of the IGP and AG from the investigating and prosecuting teams and all the assurances from the powers that be.

The Malaysian public in particular and interested parties around the world awaits the truth of the matter in this episode of “Sodomy Malaysian Style”. We pray that this time around truth will not be sacrificed at the altar of political gamesmanship!

In ALLAH we trust and HE knows best.

Dr. Sheik Johari Bux
Dr. Farouq Musa
Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin