By LOONG MENG YEE
PETALING JAYA: Former student leaders who knew Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan expressed shock that the friendly and smart 23-year-old is involved in a sodomy case.
“I could not believe it, I was shocked beyond words when I read the news about Saiful’s allegation, it is so bizarre,” said Mohd Zuaril Akimi, 22.
Saiful, Mohd Zuaril and six other student leaders had represented Malaysia at the Second Asian Youth Leaders Summit in Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City, the Philippines in January last year.
Mohd Zuaril represented Universiti Sains Malaysia while Saiful represented Universiti Tenaga Nasional. The group became close after they worked together for some months to prepare a working paper for the summit.
“Saiful is friendly and responsible. Handsome, too,” said Mohd Zuaril.
While in Angeles City, the students met Datuk Azalina Othman Said, then Youth and Sports Minister, who presented a paper at the summit.
“We seized the chance to take a picture with her. She did not mingle with us for long and left soon after that.
“The minister also did not pay any special attention to Saiful that might indicate they knew each other previously,” said Mohd Zuaril.
On Tuesday, the PKR released a picture showing Saiful and the group posing with Azalina.
Mohd Zuaril, who graduated recently, said he had been getting snide remarks after the photo was made public.
He tried contacting Saiful but failed.
“Like the rest of the world, I am also eager to hear what he has to say. I am also worried for my friend. Whatever it is, he must be going through a tough time and I wish I could offer support,” said Mohd Zuaril.
Another student who went to the summit was Afandy Sutrisno Tanjung, 23, from Universiti Malaya.
Writing in afandytanjung.blogspot.com, he described Saiful as possessing leadership qualities. Afandy wrote Saiful’s allegation had really been shocking and “explosive to the whole of Malaysia.”
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