Tight security imposed ahead of Anwar verdict<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysian paramilitary troopers on
\nTuesday took position around the courthouse where a judge is to
\ndeliver the verdict in the landmark trial of sacked finance
\nminister Anwar Ibrahim.<\/p>\n
About 100 troopers with riot batons stood in small groups
\naround the sprawling Merdeka (Independence) Square next to the
\ncourthouse where High Court Judge Augustine Paul is expected to
\npronounce his judgment on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
About 10 trucks and a water cannon truck were parked at the
\nsquare, which was quiet.<\/p>\n
About 30 students gathered briefly at nearby Central Market, a
\nshort walking distance from the square, to shout their support
\nfor Anwar, who was sacked and arrested in September.<\/p>\n
The students, speaking into a megaphone, read speeches in
\nsupport of Anwar and shouted Reformasi (Reform), the rallying cry
\nof anti-government groups aligned with Anwar.<\/p>\n
The students later scattered when about 10 police arrived.
\nEarlier, a group calling itself the Malaysian Students
\nAssociation called on supporters to gather at Merdeka Square for
\nan overnight vigil in support of Anwar.<\/p>\n
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Kamarudin Ali has issued a stern
\nwarning to Anwar's supporters, saying any demonstrators in front
\nof the downtown federal courthouse on Wednesday will be arrested.
\nUnder Malaysian law, a police permit is needed for any large
\ngathering and none has been issued for Anwar's day in court.<\/p>\n
The judge on Wednesday will rule on four counts of corruption,
\neach of which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail and a
\n20,000 ringgit ($5,000) fine. The court convenes at 9 a.m. (8
\na.m. Jakarta time) and the verdict is expected in the morning.<\/p>\n
Anwar, 51, has pleaded not guilty and argued he was the victim
\nof a conspiracy led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his
\npolitical allies.<\/p>\n
Anwar's sacking and arrest in September triggered
\nunprecedented anti-government street protests which police put
\ndown with tear gas, water cannon and baton charges. More than 500
\npeople were detained in the protests.<\/p>\n
Anwar was arrested after leading 30,000 protesters through
\nMerdeka Square calling for Mahathir, in power since 1981, to step
\ndown.<\/p>\n
The Malaysian government vowed on Tuesday to heed calls for
\nreform, but hit back at Anwar and his supporters on the eve of
\nthe verdict in his corruption trial.<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was named to
\nreplace Anwar in January, called for the continuation of
\n\"responsible leadership\" under Mahathir as Malaysia entered the
\n21st century.<\/p>\n
\"Today we hear cries for change and reform and for greater
\ndemocracy and human rights,\" Abdullah said at the launch of a CD-
\nROM honoring Mahathir, who has been in power for almost 18 years.<\/p>\n
\"We hear these calls. We know that some things need to change,
\nwhile a lot more needs to be preserved as they have stood the
\ntest of time,\" he told an audience which included leading
\nbusinessmen and foreign diplomats.<\/p>\n
Anwar and his lawyers have said they expect him to be
\nsentenced to between two and four years in jail.<\/p>\n
If he were sentenced to at least one year in jail or fined at
\nleast 2,000 ringgit, he would be barred from holding public
\noffice for five years from the end of his jail term.<\/p>\n
Anwar's wife, Azizah Ismail, said she was pessimistic ahead of
\nthe verdict.<\/p>\n
\"I still have a glimmer of hope that it will be a happy
\nending, but maybe not too happy because I still know of the
\nimpending charges that are awaiting my husband,\" she told Reuters
\nTelevision from her home on Tuesday.<\/p>",
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