Why police need new DNA samples from Anwar

Why police need new DNA samples from Anwar

By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 –

The police need to get a new DNA sample from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to avoid being accused of manipulating evidence.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said it was best to take the latest samples rather than the ones already in police possession.

His statement however runs contrary to Anwar's claim earlier today that there was no need for him to provide new samples for fear of tampering by the police.

Syed Hamid also said it was up to the police if they wanted to bring in foreign forensic experts to help with the DNA issue.

However, Anwar questioned this proposal, saying that even if these foreign experts conducted themselves professionally, no one can guarantee the credibility and competency of the handling of samples.

Meanwhile, Pas youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said the party hoped investigations are conducted in a transparent manner.

"Besides, if we have the expertise (to examine evidence), it is not necessary to engage foreign experts," he told The Malaysian Insider.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang when met at Parliament today also expressed similar views. "I think the most important thing is that we must be satisfied that there will be an independent, fair and impartial process in investigation and prosecution. I think at present there is a crisis of confidence in the police, in the judiciary, in the government, in the handling of the case which has been further aggravated by what happened yesterday," he said.

Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said justice could only be served if Anwar were to be judged according to Islamic principles."Pas rejects any accusation that is based on assumption and speculation. The same with the use of DNA (samples) that can be manipulated," he said in a statement read out by his deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa at the Parliament lobby.

When asked what action would be taken by Pas if there was any sign of fabrication of evidence, Nasharudin said: "We don't want to make any assumption; we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

kzso - the most sensible comment is from PAS deputy president "we don't want to make any assumptions; we'll cross the bridge when we come to is"- nasharudin. please don't make assumptions and speculations is the most sensible statements among pr leaders. kudos to him to be level headed and rather cool on this matter. others are playing politics. hope he can now withstand pressures from pkr (azmin especially), dap (lks, ksingh and family) and pkr (anwar and family and the gang) and not forgetting his pas collegues