U.S. Congress resolution on Anwar 'unacceptable'<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A Malaysian minister criticized on
\nThursday an appeal by U.S. legislators for a new trial \"under
\nfair and transparent procedures\" for jailed ex-deputy premier
\nAnwar Ibrahim.<\/p>\n
The resolution by seven members of the House of
\nRepresentatives was unacceptable and politically motivated, said
\nRais Yatim, a minister responsible for legal affairs.<\/p>\n
Local newspapers said the resolution, submitted on Oct. 27,
\ncalled on the Malaysian government to give Anwar due process
\n\"either by offering him a new trial under fair and transparent
\nprocedures or by dismissing all charges against him.\"<\/p>\n
It said his corruption and sodomy trials were marred by
\nserious irregularities.<\/p>\n
\"We are steadfast in our stand that a judicial decision made
\nby a court of law in Malaysia stands on its own merit,\" Rais was
\nquoted by the official Bernama news agency as saying. He said the
\nresolution, \"being a political move, could be taken as a
\npolitical finding.\"<\/p>\n
The Malaysian government has reacted angrily to attempts by
\nAnwar's supporters to publicize his plight overseas. Prime
\nMinister Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysians who criticized their
\nleaders overseas were \"traitors\" because they could deter foreign
\ninvestment.<\/p>\n
Last week the Singapore Straits Times said Anwar's backers had
\nengaged Washington-based public relations firm Janus Meritt
\nStrategy in August under a four-month retainer fee for $50,000.
\nIt did not say who the backers were.<\/p>\n
Officials from the National Justice Party, headed by Anwar's
\nwife Azizah Ismail, said they were not involved in hiring the
\nfirm.<\/p>\n
Anwar was sacked by Mahathir on Sept. 2, 1998 and arrested 18
\ndays later following mass anti-government rallies.<\/p>\n
In April 1999 Anwar was jailed for six years for abuse of
\npower and in August was imprisoned for nine years for sodomy. The
\nsentences will run consecutively, meaning he will be in jail
\nuntil 2014 unless granted remission.<\/p>\n
Anwar says Mahathir orchestrated a conspiracy to frame him
\nbecause he was seen as a political threat. The government denies
\nany plot.<\/p>\n
Legislator Jamaluddin Jarjis said parliamentary backbench
\nmembers would introduce a motion next week condemning the US
\nresolution.<\/p>\n
\"We regard it as another interference by the West, like in
\nIndonesia and the West Bank, an arrogance akin to colonialism
\nalthough Malaysia is an independent country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Jamaluddin said the congressmen should look at their own
\nbackyard, for instance their own legal system which he alleged
\ndiscriminated against black people, before attempting to
\ninterfere in the internal affairs of other countries.<\/p>\n
But Fadzil Noor, president of the opposition Parti Islam
\nSeMalaysia, said that in a globalized world everyone had a right
\nto express their opinions.<\/p>\n
\"If we can oppose the actions of Israel (against
\nPalestinians), why should we dispute this?\" he said.<\/p>\n
Azizah said the congressmen were fighting for freedom and
\nhuman rights.<\/p>",
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