Malaysia's crackdown<\/p>\n
Malaysian authorities closed Kuala Lumpur's main square on
\nSunday, after the fourth anti-government protest in a week. More
\ndemonstrations are planned against the increasingly autocratic
\nbehavior of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.<\/p>\n
Sunday's rally came just a week after former deputy prime
\nminister Anwar Ibrahim was detained under Malaysia's Internal
\nSecurity Act, legislation dating from colonial times and aimed at
\nhalting the spread of communist terrorism.<\/p>\n
Anwar is under investigation for alleged sodomy and treason.
\nHe denies the allegations and says he is the victim of a
\nconspiracy to end his political career. But it appears Mahathir
\nis happy to use one example of British law while ignoring another
\n-- the concept of innocent until proven guilty. He has launched a
\ncampaign against Anwar, even asserting he had spoken to Anwar's
\nalleged sexual partners and it is clear that he is guilty.<\/p>\n
But the Malaysian leader has made clear his contempt for the
\ncourts and for due process. If the prime minister has proclaimed
\nAnwar's guilt, Malaysia's judges will have to ensure he gets a
\nfair trial. And anything less than a fair trial will cause
\nfurther internal tension and further besmirch Malaysia's
\ninternational reputation.<\/p>\n
-- The Australian, Sydney<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysias-crackdown-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }