Malaysia steps up Anwar clampdown

Malaysia steps up Anwar clampdown

KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): The Malaysian authorities stepped up a clampdown on Tuesday on the reform movement launched by detained former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim after two days of street clashes.

Police surrounded Anwar's home where his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, has taken over leadership of the reform campaign.

Amid mounting international concern, riot police and other forces surrounded the house in western Kuala Lumpur after setting up roadblocks and dispersing hundreds of supporters.

Anwar was detained on Sunday after police stormed the house and has since been held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows for virtually permanent detention without trial. Eleven associates have been detained since under the ISA.

Azizah said she would speak at no more rallies following a warning from police about unrest. The 46-year-old mother of six also faces a police investigation over a television interview in which she expressed fears for the life of her husband.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sacked his deputy and finance minister on Sept. 2, sparking a bitter political battle. Anwar turned against his former mentor launching his reform campaign and making calls for Mahathir to stand down at rallies of tens of thousands of people.

Human rights groups and opposition parties attacked Malaysian authorities on Tuesday for arresting Anwar and 11 allies under the ISA.

Kuala Lumpur-based human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) said the ISA was a threat to human rights and democracy.

Police did not rule out further arrests in a crackdown on Anwar supporters, who in a rare public protest took to streets of the capital on Sunday and Monday.

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