He said since Datuk Seri Anwar had made reports against the two, it was only proper that they were excluded from the investigation.

On Wednesday, Mr Anwar gave his statement to the Anti-Corruption Agency in Putrajaya in connection with his claim that Tan Sri Abdul Gani and Tan Sri Musa had fabricated evidence on his assault, by then police chief Abdul Rahim Noor in 1998.

Mr Anwar suffered a black eye as a result of that assault, while in police detention. Mr Abdul Gani was then a deputy public prosecutor, while Mr Musa was the investigating officer in the case.

Given their close involvement in the 1998 case, many opposition members have questioned the credibility of police investigations. But, when asked if it was necessary to suspend Mr Musa and Mr Abdul Gani from duties following the report lodged against them, PM Abdullah said, 'There is no reason why they should be suspended from duties.'

Separately, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said that Mr Anwar should not fear statements made by him. 'Whatever I say is to ensure fairness and does not constitute a personal attack...We do not have the right to mete out justice, only the courts can do so,' he said yesterday, in response to Mr Anwar's request to him to stop issuing statements on the sodomy case.

Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur Hospital director Zaininah Mohd Zain said in a statement that Mr Anwar was not made to strip naked, as he had alleged.

She said that prior to the examination, two specialists had explained the procedures to him in the presence of his lawyer.

'Only after having obtained his written consent did they proceed,' said Dr Zaininah. 'At no time throughout the examination was his decency violated.'

Bernama