KL condemns Rais over Anwar case

KL condemns Rais over Anwar case

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia hit back on Thursday at
"offensive" criticism by Indonesia's top legislator of the
treatment of Anwar Ibrahim.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said the criticism by Amien
Rais of the treatment of the jailed Malaysian ex-deputy premier
also violated the ASEAN spirit of non-interference in members'
internal affairs.

"I regret that the statement is not only inaccurate, offensive
to us but is ignorant of the system of justice in our country,"
Syed Hamid told the official Bernama news agency.

The foreign minister said Rais might disagree with the charges
leveled at Anwar but that was not his jurisdiction.

Rais, the speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, on
Tuesday urged Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to treat
Anwar in a "civilized" manner.