IN KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S Inspector-General of Police, Musa Hassan, yesterday warned that the armed forces would be called in to maintain public order if needed, in a sign of growing concern over the country's political turmoil.

He spoke to reporters at the start of a six-day joint police-armed forces exercise in Cheras, outside Kuala Lumpur. He said the exercise was relevant in light of recent challenges faced by law-enforcement agencies here.

Asked if troops would be deployed if a demonstration took place, Insp-Gen Musa said: 'Only if the situation gets serious or in an emergency.'

Yesterday was relatively quiet, after days of bitter bickering by the opposition and government sides after a young man made a police report last Saturday alleging that he had been sexually assaulted by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

The government said yesterday that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) had launched a full-scale probe of the attorney-general and national police chief, following exchanges about old and new allegations of sodomy against Datuk Seri Anwar.

On Tuesday, he filed a police report accusing Insp-Gen Musa and A-G Abdul Gani Patail of cooking up evidence during his sodomy trial 10 years ago. He was convicted, but subsequently cleared of that sex charge.

ACA chief Ahmad Said Hamdan said his agency would ensure that the investigation was 'not biased'.

Insp-Gen Musa said yesterday that the police would also probe Mr Anwar's report.

In the latest twist, Mr Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, a volunteer with Mr Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat, reported last Saturday that Mr Anwar had sodomised him against his will.

The young man has not appeared in public since, but a medical report on him reportedly confirmed evidence of a sexual assault.

'The case has been classified as sodomy,' deputy police chief Ismail Omar was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times daily yesterday.

The newspaper said that doctors found indications that Mr Saiful had engaged in anal sex.

Asked about that, Mr Anwar brushed off the report, saying calmly: 'Their problem lah. He (Saiful) has to explain that.'

He insists the latest allegation is a conspiracy to stop the opposition - which has been wooing lawmakers from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to defect - from seizing power.

He has vowed to go on a nationwide tour to clear his name. His first stop, Petaling Jaya on Sunday, could be a test of the Inspector-General's warnings.

Thousands are expected to turn up in support and to protest against the sharp fuel price hikes of last month.

The Malaysian stock market plunged to a 15-month low yesterday, but analysts said the fall was due mainly to the dire global economic situation.

hazlinh@sph.com.sg

GUARD: I SAW ANWAR ENTER CONDO; ANWAR: I NEVER DENIED THAT, ASIA

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