De facto Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is accused of sodomising an aide and is currently holed-up at the Turkish ambassador's residence in Kuala Lumpur, was never invited to the diplomat's home nor had he sought political asylum from the Turkish government.

Foreign Minister Rais Yatim, after a meeting Turkish ambassador to Malaysia Barlas Ozener at Wisma Putra Monday (30 June), told reporters that the diplomat had clarified that Anwar was never invited to his house and that the opposition leader had gone there on his own accord.

"The Malaysian government accepts this explanation. Anwar is not at the ambassador's house as an asylum seeker but as a guest. It has just been less than 24 hours. If he stays there for a longer period then we might have to take a different stance. The question of political asylum too does not arise," he said.

Last Saturday Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a 23-year-old special assistant of Anwar, lodged a police report alleging that he was sodomised by Anwar on Thursday (26 June) at an apartment in Damansara Heights.

Early Sunday (29 June) morning, Anwar took refuge at the residence of the Turkish ambassador, claiming that he had gone there because he feared for his personal safety after receiving death threats earlier in the week.

Sunday, Anwar wrote in his blog that he had sought refuge at the Turkish embassy at the invitation of the ambassador. Rais said that since a police report had been lodged against the former deputy prime minister, it was only right, according to the Criminal Procedure Code, to allow the police to interview and take down his statement.

"The police must be allowed to investigate the case. One party, even a diplomat, must not shield another, especially someone who has been alleged to have committed a criminal offence. The police must be allowed to carry out their duty. The investigation process must not be impeded," he stressed.

Rais said Anwar was at the Turkish ambassador's home on humanitarian grounds "but for how long, I can't say."

He said there was no need for Anwar to initiate this action as he was not going to be arrested under the Internal Security Act or the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance. (MySinchew)