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Wan Azizah condemns minimal jail term for Rahim's lethal assault Kuala Lumpur ,March 15 - Wife of former deputy prime minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail criticised today's two-month prison sentence on the former Inspector General of Police Abdul Rahim Noor who attacked her husband in custody. Rahim Noor was jailed and fined RM2000 for assaulting Anwar on September 20, 1998, the night he was first detained. Rahim gave a blindfolded and handcuffed Anwar the black eye which sparked international protests. The judge agreed to a defence request to suspend the jail term pending an appeal against it and granted Rahim bail. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also keADILan president told reporters: "The sentence is minimal considering that even those who have taken part in illegal assembly were sentenced to three month's jail. "He (Rahim) got a stay of execution and he is allowed bail. My husband was denied all that. "The sentence he (Anwar) got is, they say, because of his high position. "Rahim was the Inspector-General of Police. His position is also very high." Anwar's lawyer Karpal Singh told reporters the sentence was "very light" and urged prosecutors to file a counter-appeal for a tougher sentence. "I don't think the public is satisfied with the sentence and public interest demands an appeal against it," he said. Prosecutor Salahuddin Saidin told reporters they would consider such an appeal after consulting Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah. Rahim yesterday changed his plea to guilty after the prosecution reduced the charge from attempting to cause Anwar grievous hurt to one of assault. The original charge carried a 3 1/2 year jail term. Karpal questioned why Mohtar had agreed to a lesser charge. "The attorney-general is expected to use his discretion responsibly. He is abusing his power in amending the charge." |
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