Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim met with Turkish Ambassador to Malaysia Barlas Ozener on Monday, saying Malaysia's de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was never invited to the diplomat's residence nor had he sought political asylum from the Turkish government.
Anwar was not at the ambassador's house as an asylum seeker but as a guest, Rais said after he met with Ozener at his ministry in Putrajaya, administrative center of the Malaysian Federal Government, according to Malaysia's national news agency Bernama.
The diplomat had clarified that Anwar was never invited to his house and that the opposition leader had gone there on his own accord, Bernama quoted Rais as saying.
Last Saturday, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a 23-year-old special assistant of Anwar, lodged a police report alleging that he was so domised by Anwar on June 26 at an apartment here, Bernama said.
Early Sunday morning, Anwar took refuge at the residence of the Turkish ambassador, claiming that he had gone there for fears of his personal safety after receiving death threats earlier in the week, according to Bernama.
Anwar wrote in his blog on Sunday that he had sought refuge at the Turkish embassy at the invitation of the ambassador, Bernama said.
Rais also said that Anwar was using the Turkish embassy to obtain international attention and sympathy as the question of safeguarding his safety did not arise at all, Bernama added.
Rais noted that this was the first time in the nation's history that a prominent political leader had taken refuge at an embassy for fear of his safety, according to Bernama.
Malaysia's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People's Justice Party) advisor Anwar Ibrahim reportedly filed a defamation suit with the High Court here against his aide who lodged a police report against him for sodomy, claiming that the report was false and malicious.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak Monday dismissed allegations he was involved in the case of Anwar Ibrahim, according to Bernama.
The ruling coalition government has never threatened Anwar's life and was not involved in anything to threaten or harm politicians in Malaysia, Najib was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Anwar left the Turkish Embassy here Monday evening, according to reports.
Source: Xinhua
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