ANYONE reading Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail's interview with Harakah (for PAS members only, which is a big joke as it is sold openly) on "Anwar and arsenic: Establishing the truth" will find it mind-blowing.

On the whole, it was being very economical with the truth.

All the time, both Dr Wan Azizah and the interviewer were steering the course further and further from trying to establish the truth, contrary to what the heading promised.

The Opposition taunts the mainstream media as "compliant."

But I think even the most ardent readers of political publications must find Harakah increasingly nauseating.

The Q & A started with Harakah asking Dr Wan Azizah about "stories floating around" that the arsenic level in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was "within acceptable levels."

The questioner, pandering to the wishes of Dr Wan Azizah, asked: "It is not life threatening as such. Would you care to comment?

Dr Wan Azizah said that was true.

So there's no truth in the allegation? It is obvious then that it was fabricated?

The interviewer obediently did not ask the obvious follow-up questions. Is this an example of press freedom?

As a political scientist I suspect the Q & A was orchestrated for Dr Wan Azizah, Keadilan and the entire opposition alliance to seek a way out of this hugely damaging scam.

I also think that more escape doors are being constructed.

We can already see a diversion in a new recurring theme. This is about lobbying for Anwar to be granted bail. You can see that in the Dr Wan Azizah interview and elsewhere.

MAHMOOD AYOUB,
Selayang