Ex-police chief jailed for assaulting politician

Malaysia’s former police chief was sent to prison today by the Court of Appeals for beating jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.

Three judges dismissed Abdul Rahim Noor’s appeal against a two-month jail sentence for the assault on Anwar, a former deputy prime minister.

In March last year, Abdul Rahim was convicted of beating Anwar in prison on the night of his arrest on corruption and sodomy charges. He has been free on bail during the appeal.

The appeal ruling was the final stage of the appeals process and the former inspector general of police - who stood down after the beating was revealed - was taken from the court to the Kajang Prison, south of Kuala Lumpur, after the ruling was read out in court.

The court also re-imposed a fine of 2,000 ringgit (£350), which had been set aside by a lower appeals court at an earlier hearing.

The appeal judges called the assault a ‘‘despicable act’’ and criticised the sessions court for the leniency of the original sentence.

Abdul Rahim ‘‘held the highest office in public law and was the role model for the force,’’ presiding Judge Shaik Daud Ismail said. ‘‘His action is despicable and inhuman to say the least.’’

The attack on Anwar shocked Malaysians and drew international condemnation.

The case marks the first time a police chief has been forced to resign or charged in court for abuse in Malaysia, where police enjoy sweeping powers.

Abdul Rahim pleaded guilty after the prosecution lowered the charge from attempting to cause ‘‘grievous hurt,’’ to attempting to cause ‘‘hurt.’’

At a public inquiry in 1999, Abdul Rahim admitted assaulting Anwar on the night

of his arrest, saying he ‘‘lost control’’ when Anwar - who was blindfolded and handcuffed to a bed in a jail cell - called him ‘‘the father of dogs’’.

Dogs are considered unclean in Islam, Malaysia’s dominant religion.

Doctors said the attack could have been fatal.

The appeal judges said there were indications the attack was premeditated.

‘‘We can fathom no need for (Anwar) to be blindfolded and handcuffed in prison,’’ Shaik Daud said. ‘‘This is an indication of (Abdul Rahim’s) intention to injure him.’’

Anwar was hospitalised in November last year with a back injury he says was caused in part by the assault.

The appeal judges said that the original sentence imposed on Abdul Rahim was ‘‘on the lenient side’’.

‘‘However, it is not the Court of Appeal’s practice to impose its own sentence,’’ they said. ‘‘We take this opportunity to remind the lower courts to take police assault cases very seriously.’’

Anwar was arrested two weeks after being fired by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad after the two disagreed about how Malaysia should respond to the Asian financial crisis.

He was convicted of corruption and sodomy at two trials and is serving jail terms totaling 15 years.

Anwar claims the charges against him were part of a conspiracy to keep him from challenging Mahathir’s power. Mahathir denies any conspiracy.