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.