Malaysia denies plotting to descredit Anwar Ibrahim
Malaysia denies plotting to descredit Anwar Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia denounced on Friday a Singapore newspaper that said Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and trusted supporters met secretly in November to plot strategy against former cabinet minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Information Minister Mohamed Rahmat said a report in the Singapore Business Times was "an ill-intentioned attempt" to undermine Mahathir's governing coalition and his United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party.
The newspaper, quoting "a leaked document" from the secret meeting, said on Wednesday that Mahathir and senior UMNO leaders met on Nov. 5 at the prime minister's official residence.
"I categorically deny that any such meeting took place," the official Bernama news agency quoted Mohamed, who is secretary- general of the governing Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition, as saying.
The daily said "Dr Mahathir conceded that he made some 'fundamental mistakes' and outlined a new 'soft line strategy' for what he described as 'Round Two' in the war against Anwar".
Mahathir sacked Anwar in September. The former deputy prime minister and finance minister was later arrested and charged with five counts each of sodomy and corruption.
Anwar, who has pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts, has accused Mahathir's associates of plotting to destroy his career. Mahathir has said Anwar was morally unfit.
The Business Times said attending the November meeting were Special Functions Minister Daim Zainuddin -- who last week was named finance minister -- former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba, Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz and Mohamed among others.
Malaysia's information minister said the Singapore newspaper apparently had picked a "fabricated account" of the meeting off the Internet.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's opposition leader said on Friday that Anwar had been the victim of injustice in his sex and corruption trial and called for an emergency session of parliament.
He was commenting on a decision by the prosecution to amend four corruption charges against Anwar and on the judge's move to throw out all evidence relating to alleged sex crimes by Anwar that was introduced during the first two months of the trial.
In a further development, Mahathir has pledged a smooth transition of power to his deputy when he is ready to retire, reports said on Friday.
Upon his retirement and barring unforeseen circumstances, Mahathir was quoted as saying by The Star daily that his deputy -- the newly appointed Abdullah Ahmad Badawi -- would succeed him.
Abdullah was named to fill the vacancy left by the sacking of Anwar in September, as part of a surprise cabinet reshuffle which saw Mahathir reasserting his control.
Abdullah also took over the home ministry from Mahathir, while top economic adviser Daim Zainuddin was reappointed as finance minister, a post also previously held by Anwar.