KOTA KINABALU: The sodomy report on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been described as a ‘diversionary tactic’ by the Barisan Nasional leadership to divert public anger on the increase of fuel and food prices.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vicepresident Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said yesterday the allegation against the oppostion leader was also meant to derail his plan to take over the government by Sept 16.

“The BN leadership, especially Umno, is so scared to lose power that they are prepared to do anything to prevent this from happening.

“It is also easy to understand why Mohd Saiful Bukhari was targeted as he knows what is going on about the vulnerability of the current government in terms of the power shift as he (Saiful) had been entrusted by Anwar to deal with appointments concerning Sabah and Sarawak,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Jeffrey described the 23-year-old aide of Anwar as a “nice, overly polite, disciplined and hardworking young man”, adding that he was the one in charge in arranging appointments, travels and hotel accommodation. He also had information on BN MPs who met with Anwar.

“Saiful is therefore a good target to be used by the BN political leadership to discredit Anwar. He could also have been planted earlier as indicated by his links with a senior minister from recent photographs,” he said.

Jeffrey questioned if indeed Saiful was sodomised on June 24, why did the complainant waited till Saturday to make a police report, especially when Anwar was about to disclose information on deliberate fabrication of evidence by the government on his earlier sodomy case.

Anwar was away in Mecca performing his Umrah between June 21 and 23 with his wife.

Jeffrey urged all PKR members and supporters to remain calm.