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.