Key witness in Anwar trial admits he might lie for Mahathir

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Key witness in Anwar trial admits he might lie for Mahathir
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (AFP) - A top police officer appearing as a key
prosecution witness in the trial of ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim
admitted Thursday he might lie in court if asked by Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad.
"It depends on the situation. I may or I may not," former police special
branch director Mohamad Said Awang told the high court.
Under cross examination, the one-time chief of police intelligence told the
court that he believed allegations of sexual misconduct against Anwar,
clarifying earlier confusion about whether he did or not.
Asked by defence counsel Christopher Fernando why he acted illegally to get
the allegations retracted if he believed they were true, Said said it was
because of "instructions" from Anwar in his capacity as deputy prime
minister.
"Even if the prime minister, or minister of home affairs or the IGP
(inspector general of police) asked me to do it, my belief is I should not
do it. But the situation is such I may have to do it despite my beliefs."
Asked by Fernando whether he was willing to compromise his beliefs and
principles, Said replied that he was not.
"If an instruction is given by someone important, you are prepared to do it
even if it involves breaking the law?" Fernando asked.
"I'm willing but I have to wait," the former special branch dirctor replied.
"I will do it but I will not go all out to do it."
Fernando then suggested that Said was telling the court that "you are
willing to commit an illegal act because an instruction was given" by Anwar.
Said replied that when he followed the instructions "I did not know that it
would lead this way."
Fernando asked: "If someone else higher than the DPM (deputy prime minister)
instructs you to come and lie in the court here, will you do it?"
Said replied that he had never been asked to do such a thing.
"The question is whether you will do it or not," the defence counsel said,
prompting an objection from the prosecution which was overruled.
"It depends on the situation. I may and I may not," Said replied.
At this point, the presiding judge Augustine Paul intervened. "What are the
instances when you have lied?" he asked. Said replied that he would not
know.
Fernando suggested Said was a "most unscrupulous man" -- to which the senior
police offer replied: "You are also unscrupulous in the way you question."