Anwar urges Mahathir to step down honorably

Anwar urges Mahathir to step down honorably

KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Detained former deputy premier Anwar
Ibrahim urged Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday to step
down honorably after a crackdown on protests triggered riots in
the capital.

In a statement issued from detention following fierce weekend
clashes between hundreds of demonstrators and police, Anwar said
Mahathir "must accept the facts."

"Hear the grievances of the people and withdraw from the scene
in an honorable manner. Protect the peace and harmony of this
beloved country of ours, Malaysia." he said in the statement
issued through his wife Azizah Ismail.

It was the first time that Anwar, 51, had called on Mahathir,
73, to step down since his arrest on Sept. 20. Anwar had made
similar calls during mass rallies after he was fired in early
September following a feud with Mahathir.

Mahathir has rejected allegations that police brutality
provoked last weekend's riots in Kampung Baru, a politically
sensitive Moslem community in central Kuala Lumpur. More than 250
people were detained and witnesses said women and children were
hurt in the police operation.

Amnesty International accused police of using "excessive
force" against demonstrators and warned of more violence if
public discontent was stifled.

"Unless discontent is allowed free expression, there is a risk
that public anger will turn to violence," it said.

Anwar has been charged with 10 counts of corruption and sexual
misconduct and is to be tried on four corruption charges from
Monday.

In his statement on Tuesday he called on police to behave
professionally and refrain from attacking protesters. He urged
his own followers to assemble peacefully in their campaign for
reform.

Mahathir, who has brushed aside previous calls to quit,
earlier on Tuesday defended police operations and said
demonstrators were armed with rocks and petrol bombs.

"Obviously they want to be provoked so that they can have an
excuse," the prime minister was quoted as saying by the national
news agency Bernama.

Mahathir is also home minister in charge of police and took
over the finance ministry as well after sacking Anwar. In his
statement, Anwar urged Mahathir and police Inspector General
Rahim Noor not to allow "wanton beatings and arrests of the
people to continue."

Britain's former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten said in
Singapore on Tuesday that the world was watching what happened
to Anwar with great concern,

"It is a great distortion to suggest that it is only
Westerners who are concerned about Mr Anwar Ibrahim," Patten told
the Foreign Correspondents' Association in Singapore.

Everyone concerned about freedom, democracy, the rule of law
and Southeast Asia's economic well-being and stability would be
watching what happened to Anwar in the coming weeks and months
with "the most profound concern", he said.

"Leaders in the region have spoken out about their concerns,"
Patten said, in a clear reference to Indonesian President B.J.
Habibie and Philippine President Joseph Estrada.

Both have made comments supportive of Anwar, a friend of both
leaders who has been charged with sodomy and corruption. Their
support has damaged their relations with Mahathir.

"Leaders of the global community like (United Nations)
Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan, who is not likely to be
described by anybody as being a Western central banker or Western
stooge," had also expressed their concern, Patten said.

"I think it is extremely sad that this has arisen and I hope
that the outcome will demonstrate that the rule of law is alive
and well in Malaysia," he said during a tour to promote his book,
East and West, about his days as Britain's last governor of Hong
Kong before it was handed back to China in 1997.

Anwar's trial is being closely monitored by the international
community following his allegations that he was beaten up by
police. He appeared in court sporting a black eye and later wore
a neck brace.

Malaysia will host a summit of the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation forum next month. There are fears that domestic
political tensions might disrupt the gathering which will include
U.S. President Bill Clinton.