Downer: Azizah meeting cancelled

Downer: Azizah meeting cancelled

ADELAIDE, Australia (Reuters): The wife of Malaysia's jailed former finance minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday she did not believe she had been snubbed by the Australian government after it canceled a high level meeting with her at the weekend.

Azizah Ismail said support continued to grow for Anwar, whose imprisonment for a total of 15 years on sodomy and conspiracy charges sparked international outrage.

Azizah later spoke to Downer by telephone but said she regretted a lost opportunity to meet him in person.

She conceded there was "a remote possibility" Australia might want to avoid risking further damage to its volatile ties with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Australia and Malaysia have clashed politically over a number of issues in recent years, not least Anwar's conviction when Canberra questioned the independence of Malaysia's judiciary.