Retrial for jailed Anwar urged

Retrial for jailed Anwar urged

MALAYSIA: Two opposition parties on Friday pressed newly installed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to order a retrial for jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, a victim of political conspiracy.

Islamic Party (PAS), Malaysia's largest opposition party and Anwar's People's Justice Party (Keadilan) submitted a three-page memorandum to Badawi with a 19-point demand.

"Anwar deserves a retrial. He is a victim of political conspiracy. Anwar should be freed on bail after almost five years in jail," Mohamad Ezam Mohamad Nor, Keadilan's youth chief told AFP.

"Anwar is not a threat to the government. His release will silence international criticism and add legitimacy to Badawi's leadership."

Anwar, 56, once seen as heir to Mahathir, claims he was sacked and later charged with sodomy and corruption to prevent a political challenge to former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Keadilan is led by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Anwar's wife. -- AFP