Inglorious verdict

Inglorious verdict

The six-year prison sentence passed on Malaysia's former
deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday is considered by
many to be overly harsh and a violation of the principles of
natural justice. The defendant himself called it "an absolute
disgrace" to his country's judicial system.

Anwar, who was convicted of corruption and abuse of power
after a 78-day trial, said he was dealt "a judgment that stinks
to high heaven" and that he would appeal against the verdict that
could destroy his political career.

Reformist Anwar, 51, a one-time heir to Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad, has been in the limelight in the regional, if
not international, media since his trial began seven months ago
because of his sudden controversial ouster as deputy premier and
finance minister on Sept. 2 last year. It followed accusations of
sexual misconduct and the leaking of state secrets, charges Anwar
totally denied. A day later Anwar was expelled from the dominant
United Malays National Organization party in the ruling Barisan
Nasional coalition. As explanation, Mahathir simply said: "We
find him not suitable, that's all."

On the night of Sept. 20, after addressing a huge rally at
Kuala Lumpur's national mosque, Anwar was arrested by a unit of
the elite special force which stormed his house while he was
giving a news conference. Charges were sedition, treachery and
illicit sexual acts.

Nine days after his arrest, Anwar appeared for the first time
in the capital's courthouse amid tight security, bearing a
swollen black eye and bruised arm. He charged he was beaten in
his cell by police officers on the very night he was arrested. He
also said he was denied medical treatment. Mahathir, however,
hinted the injuries might have been self-inflicted.

Only months later did the Malaysian public and the
international community know that Anwar had told the truth
regarding his injuries. Former police inspector general Abdul
Rahim Noor admitted that he punched Anwar in the prison cell
because he became enraged after his detainee addressed him
impolitely.

From the onset of Anwar's ouster and subsequent events --
including retractions of testimony by several witnesses who
claimed they made false confessions under duress and the flimsy
evidence of the alleged crimes -- observers and human rights
activists in the region have shared similar views that he has
been treated unfairly by those in power in Malaysia.

Besides, people in the region still recall how Mahathir, who
has ruled virtually unopposed for 18 years, violated Malaysia's
judicial system more than a decade ago when he fired judges who
disagreed with him.

It stands to reason that, despite a call by deputy prime
minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for Malaysians to accept High
Court justice Augustine Paul's verdict, Anwar's supporters were
enraged. They have protested the verdict by throwing stones at
the windows of the court building and clashing with riot police.
The demonstrators -- some of whom were brutally beaten and dozens
arrested -- also shouted antigovernment slogans and demanded the
resignation of Mahathir, a leader they consider unreceptive to
the Malaysian younger generation's demand for political and
economic reform.

It is also understandable that Wednesday's conviction of
Anwar, who claimed his sin was "wanting to protect truth, justice
and the interest of the people" and that he was a victim of a
political conspiracy, has triggered international outrage.

Amnesty International, calling for Anwar's immediate and
unconditional release, said "the charges were brought against him
as a pretext to remove him from further participation in public
life". Philippine President Joseph Estrada stated the conviction
was very unfortunate and hoped Anwar would be cleared of the
charges on appeal.

It remains to be seen whether Anwar's imprisonment will
discourage Malaysia's reformers in their struggle for greater
democracy or be a catalyst for political and economic change,
considering that his resolute wife, Azizah Ismail, has set up the
new opposition National Justice Party. Only Malaysians know how
to answer.