Malaysian people confused over poitical conflict<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Residents of Malaysia's capital
\nexpressed a mixture of indifference and confusion on Monday as
\nprotesters vented their anger over the arrest of former finance
\nminister Anwar Ibrahim by taking to the streets.<\/p>\n
As thousands of supporters of Anwar clashed with riot police
\nfor the second successive day, most Kuala Lumpur residents asked
\nby Reuters remained divided over the rift between Anwar and his
\nformer mentor, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.<\/p>\n
\"I can't say because I haven't heard both sides of the story,\"
\nsaid Izam, a human resources manager in downtown Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
\"The papers are already being controlled so only through the
\nInternet can we get the other side.<\/p>\n
\"Most people are 50-50. Everyone has flaws. If you replace
\nMahathir, who is the best choice? He's done a lot for the
\ncountry.\"<\/p>\n
Wing Fong, an IT consultant in his 20s, said he had only heard
\nnews of Anwar's arrest and the rioting on Monday morning via the
\nInternet.<\/p>\n
\"I think more people are just focused on the Commonwealth
\nGames at the moment,\" he said. \"After that, we'll see what
\nhappens.<\/p>\n
\"I'm not too sure about the Chinese, but the Malays are very
\nsupportive of Anwar. I have a few friends who have strong
\nopinions on Anwar. They say he's been framed.\"<\/p>\n
Anwar is under investigation amid allegations of sodomy,
\ntreason and other crimes he denies. He says he has been the
\nvictim of a high-level conspiracy to end his political career.<\/p>\n
\"I'm not involved in politics but we think Mahathir should
\nresign. Only the police support him. The Chinese, Malays, Indians
\nall support Anwar.\"<\/p>\n
Others viewed Anwar as a dangerous firebrand.<\/p>\n
\"Mahathir of course,\" said one banker when asked whom he
\nsupported. \"With him we've never had race riots. Anwar will only
\nstir these things up.\"<\/p>\n
Thailand on Monday urged Malaysians to avoid violence
\nfollowing the arrest of Anwar. Foreign ministry spokesman Kobsak
\nChutikul told AFP that as a good neighbor, Thailand was following
\ndevelopments in Malaysia closely and was concerned about the
\npossibility of further unrest.<\/p>\n
\"This is an internal affair for Malaysia but we are concerned
\nabout the recent developments,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Japan's foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday Tokyo hoped
\nthe political situation in Malaysia, which was making efforts to
\novercome its economic difficulties, remained stable.<\/p>\n
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he was deeply
\nconcerned and warned against growing authoritarianism in the
\ncountry, while Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said he
\nwas hopeful the situation would not deteriorate.<\/p>\n
Taiwan, meanwhile, said its relations with Kuala Lumpur
\nwould not be affected by Anwar's arrest, but that Taiepi was
\nconcerned about the development.<\/p>\n
\"Our relations with Malaysia are firm and there is no sign
\nthat the development in Malaysia would affect our relations,\"
\nForeign Minister Jason Hu said in a parliament meeting.<\/p>\n
Britain told Malaysia on Monday to ensure Queen Elizabeth's
\nstate visit is not snarled in the country's political turmoil and
\nprotested over the apparent jamming of television transmissions
\nto London.<\/p>\n
\"Her security is paramount,\" a British Foreign Office
\nspokesman said after talks between Foreign Secretary Robin Cook
\nand Mahathir.<\/p>",
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