Through Nurul, Anwar gets say in Parliament despite ban on his speech
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's speech was not allowed to be read out in Parliament today but Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar still slipped in excerpts from the text of her father's speech, reiterating his claim of political conspiracy over his sodomy conviction and imprisonment.
In his speech, Anwar said his case had drawn widespread international condemnation and that Switzerland would be referring it the United Nations' Human Rights Committee in Geneva.
He said he refused to be cowed and that he believed the people would not fall for Putrajaya's "cheap politics" to end his political career and prevent the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) from taking federal power.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Nurul Izzah said although Anwar, the Permatang Pauh MP would be in jail for five years, and even if other PR leaders were to be similarly punished, the people would not give up the struggle for reform.
"I am certain Barisan Nasional's greed for power will not be able to extinguish the fire of the people's struggle," she said, reading from Anwar's speech text.
Earlier, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee told Nurul Izzah that she was not allowed to read out Anwar's speech, but she could incorporate parts of it into her debate on the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's royal address.
She then read out a portion of Anwar's speech, where he expressed grave disappointment over the injustice that continued to be perpetuated against him even though he was already incarcerated.
He hit out at lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah who had earlier gone on a roadshow to talk about his sodomy conviction.
Anwar also criticised those in power whom he accused of manipulating the Prisons Department and other government agencies in denying him his rights to attend Parliament as leader of the opposition.
He also accused the judges of bowing to political masters and said they were partners in a crime that contributed to the death of a free judiciary.
At one juncture, the deputy speaker asked Nurul Izzah if she was reading Anwar's speech and reminded her not to.
The two-term MP and PKR vice-president responded by saying that she felt for those who were disappointed that the opposition leader was not able to personally deliver his speech.
She then continued reading, and said that Anwar accepted the sacrifice of going of prison for the country and the people.
She also said that her father would never remain silent and would continue to fight for freedom and justice, adding that Anwar will not surrender.
Anwar's family had submitted an appeal for a royal pardon to the King.
Parliament is sitting for the first time without an opposition leader, as no one has been appointed to replace Anwar.
He remains the leader of the opposition and as Permatang Pauh MP pending the King's decision on the clemency petition.
Anwar's lawyers and Nurul Izzah had also written letters to the Home Ministry and Prisons Department, respectively, to let the PKR de facto leader attend the current parliamentary sitting which began yesterday, but were rejected. – March 10, 2015.
