I forgive Mahathir, says Anwar<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday that he had
\nforgiven his former boss and ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad, who
\naccused him of sodomy and corruption -- charges which put him in
\njail for six years.<\/p>\n
\"I haven't met him but I have forgiven him. I have no desire
\nto revive the issue and take him to court and all because I have
\nto pay attention to the reform agenda,\" Anwar told Jakarta's
\nElshinta radio during a visit here.<\/p>\n
\"There are so many things that I have to do for the ummat
\n(Islamic community) and the nation. I'm not saying that we should
\nforget tyrannical deeds but we have to be willing to forgive and
\nlook to the future,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Anwar, who was once Malaysia's deputy prime minister under
\nMahathir, was jailed in 1998 for allegedly sodomizing his
\nofficial driver, then abusing his power to cover up the act.<\/p>\n
He and human rights groups maintained the charges were trumped
\nup to prevent him from challenging Mahathir, whose 22-year reign
\nas Malaysian leader ended when he retired in October last year.<\/p>\n
Malaysia's Federal Court overturned Anwar's sodomy conviction
\nin September, saying the charges could not be proved beyond
\nreasonable doubt and criticizing the police and prosecution for
\ntheir handling of the case.<\/p>\n
Anwar, who arrived in Jakarta late Monday for a five-day visit
\nto Indonesia, attributed his freedom to Mahathir's successor
\nAbdullah Ahmad Badawi.<\/p>\n
\"If it were not for Abdullah Badawi I would still be in jail.
\nAt least the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi
\nprovides some room for the judiciary to make decisions freely,
\neven though not entirely free,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Anwar praised Indonesia, which earlier this year held its
\nfirst full democratic elections to select a new president, for
\nmaking great strides towards democracy.<\/p>\n
\"Compared to Malaysia, Indonesia is much more advanced
\n(democratically). The problem is how to use democracy to build
\nthe nation economically and root out corruption,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Anwar said he would continue to be involved in Malaysia's
\npolitical affairs, dismissing a court decision to bar him from
\nrunning for public office until 2008 under laws governing
\nconvicted criminals as political.<\/p>\n
He also said he also enjoyed considerable support from
\nMalaysians.<\/p>\n
\"I went to the regions and the people's support is encouraging
\nand overwhelming. After six years without communication, they
\nstill show strong sympathy and love,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Anwar is meeting senior Indonesian figures, including former
\nleaders, during his visit here. Organizers of the trip are
\nseeking a meeting between Anwar and President Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono on Friday.<\/p>",
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