x-top cop: DNA evidence faked in Sodomy I

A former investigating officer in Anwar Ibrahim's 'black-eye' case has claimed that the DNA evidence was fabricated during the first sodomy trial in 1998.

Former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim mentioned this in passing in an open appeal letter to solicitor-general Idrus Harun. A copy was made available to the media today.

Mat Zain did not provide details, but hinted that this had been sufficiently explained in his Dec 27, 2010 13-page letter to the inspector-general of police (IGP), that was also forwarded to the prime minister and to Idrus.

“In my letter, I explained that any investigation of the information must refer to the investigation papers of the black-eye incident because of overlapping incidents. The main players in the black-eye case and the DNA fabrication are the same,” he wrote.

The black-eye case refers to Anwar's assault at the hands of former IGP Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor(left in photo) on Sept 20, 1998.

Based on the findings of a subsequent royal commission of inquiry, Rahim was charged in court with the assault and pleaded guilty.

Mat Zain said the main purpose of his letter was to point out to Idrus that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and de factoLaw Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz had made misleading statements to Parliament about his allegations.

“I believe that (you) are aware that the statements of the two ministers contained important facts and/or information that was untrue and/or confusing and/or was distorted.

“I also believe that (you) are aware that the attorney-general, whether intentionally or otherwise, had caused Hishammuddin and Nazri to make confusing statements in Parliament.

“In my words, they have given the wrong information to the public. As a result, both ministers might be at risk of legal action.”

He argued that the two ministers were not the competent authority to speak on the attorney-general's behalf.

Mat Zain has been on a campaign to clear his name after Anwar had mentioned him, among others, in a 2008 police report accusing the authorities of tampering with evidence in the black-eye case.

Others mentioned in Anwar's police report are Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, former IGP Musa Hassan (left) and one Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof. Abdul Gani and Musa have been clearedof wrongdoing by the authorities but the status of Mat Zain and Abdul Rahman is unclear.

Mat Zain's series of letters urging the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to clear his name have led to him accusing Abdul Gani and Musa of fabricating evidence in the black-eye case.

In particular, Mat Zain claimed that the duo were instrumental in producing three medical reports by Abdul Rahman which offered varying conclusions.

Lingering questions

Mat Zain urged Idrus to exercise his powers to initiate investigations to answer several questions once and for all, including:

• Whether it is true that there were three different medical reports on the black-eye incident produced by Abdul Rahman.

• Whether it is true that the first medical report dated Oct 26, 1998 was not submitted to the royal commission.

• Whether Abdul Gani, and/or Musa, and/or Abdul Rahman, and/or Mat Zain were involved in producing the three medical reports.

“I believe that (you) cannot deny that you received the three medical reports prepared by Abdul Rahman (that was attached to) my letters dated April 15, 2009 and May 7, 2009,” Mat Zain wrote.

“I believe (you) are not someone who would trash such documents, but rather would verify the veracity of the documents.”

He concluded by explaining the significance of only unveiling this letter today.

“On Jan 5, 1999 then attorney-general Mohtar Abdullah issued a press statement prepared by Abdul Gani (left) on the police investigations into the black-eye incident.

“I cannot forget this historic date. The Jan 5, 1999 press statement destroyed the credibility of the Royal Malaysian Police, especially the team investigating the black-eye incident.”

That press statement had also caused cabinet to mistakenly believe that the police were unable to police itself and thus a royal commission of inquiry was established to take over investigations.

However, Mat Zain pointed out that the royal commission had found that the police were capable of performing investigations “without fear or favour” as noted in commission's final report.

“I believe that (you) and senior officials in the Attorney-General's Chambers are aware that the Jan 5, 1999 press statement was the main evidence that can be used to lay criminal charges against Abdul Gani and his accomplices in relation to false and fabricated statements,” he added.

During Anwar's first sodomy trial, Abdul Gani was the senior DPP leading the prosecution team, while Musa was the investigating officer.

Both quickly rose up the ranks and helmed their respective organisations after Anwar was jailed.

The sodomy conviction was eventually overturned on appeal.

From Malaysiakini!