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