How they arrested Anwar though he had volunteered to surrender

How they arrested Anwar though he had volunteered to surrender
15 July, 2008

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER REPORT ON THE ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO ANWAR’S BEATING

Part 1

"I was arrested by ACP Koh at about 10.00pm on 20 September 1998," said Anwar Ibrahim while testifying during the Inquiry held by the Royal Commission.

"I was attending a press conference for the local and foreign media, so the doors to the house were wide open because the journalists were just outside the door. There were about 300 people in the house and about 80 to 100 journalists present just outside the house."

"While the press conference was in progress, I was informed that the police had surrounded the house. There was apparently some commotion and, suddenly, this small entrance door was broken by the police SWAT team and they entered the house."

"Most of them were hooded and I was in no position to confirm whether they were police personnel with clear authority."

"Shortly afterwards a police officer in plain clothes introduced himself as Dato Meor Hussein and that he was the Chief Commander for the special operations that night. I naturally protested the manner they conducted the operations in order to arrest me."

"He said he was doing it under instructions and he wanted my full cooperation. I demanded to know whose instructions and he said the IGP (Inspector General of Police)."

"I submitted to the arrest," added Anwar.

"Prior to that, I had made repeated public statement to say that I welcome the police anytime. Secondly, Christopher Fernando had also written both to the IGP then, and the AG, saying that he got instruction from Anwar to say that I was prepared at any time to surrender myself, if they choose, if they decide to arrest me."

To be continued tomorrow.