MALAYSIA: SACKED DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ANWAR PRESS CONFERENCE

(7 Sep 1998) English/Nat Malaysia's sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim has appealed to the Prime Minister to stop authorities from harassing his family and allow him to defend himself in court. And Anwar repeated his pledge to defy authorities and take his criminal allegations to voters on a nationwide tour. Anwar Ibrahim held a press conference at his home, which has drawn many supporters since he was sacked last Wednesday. Anwar said that his brother, Sukma Darmawan, had been taken into custody twice in the past two few weeks before his final arrest on Sunday. SOUNDBITE: (English) "He was handcuffed when he was arrested yesterday according to his sister and we tried the legal process to find out his whereabouts. We failed." SUPER CAPTION: Anwar Ibrahim, sacked Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar said he was the person the authorities should deal with and that his family were innocent and should be left in peace. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I appeal to the Prime Minister - they can call me up, they can question me, please don't harass my family members. That's the maximum I can do." SUPER CAPTION: Anwar Ibrahim, sacked Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct and treason as well as other related crimes. He denied the allegations and said the Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad should speak to him directly. SOUNDBITE: (English) "And if he considers me a friend, at least he should me my point of view now, what is the problem - why do I respond in this manner. Why do I consider these allegations as fabrication. And I'm sure they are intelligent enough to know that I can't be a traitor, the most corrupt man, the most sexually perverted man in the country." SUPER CAPTION: Anwar Ibrahim, sacked Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar has renewed his pledge that he will go on a nationwide tour to press his case but denied that he was looking to be arrested. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I don't court arrest. I know it is not a comfortable thing to do. I went through that many times and if you ask me a choice - I will not choose to be arrested. SUPER CAPTION: Anwar Ibrahim, sacked Malaysian deputy prime minister Earlier in the day a crucial player in Anwar's sex scandal broke his silence proclaiming their innocence. Businessman S. Nallakarruppan, popularly known as Nalla, has been detained by police. But he has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and also said that Anwar was being falsely accused. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...