Malaysian crisis heats up amid fresh pro-Anwar rally

Malaysian crisis heats up amid fresh pro-Anwar rally

KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said
on Wednesday he would not appoint a replacement for Anwar Ibrahim
as anti-government protests broke out again with thousands
demanding justice for his ousted, jailed deputy.

After chairing a meeting of his United Malays National
Organization Party (UMNO) until early hours, Mahathir said he
would wait to fill Anwar's seat until the party's internal
election in 1999.

Last week, Mahathir, 72, said he could "drop dead" at any
time, fueling speculation that he was about to announce a deputy
after consulting his party's supreme council.

"This is not a matter discussed by the party. That is my
prerogative. That is my responsibility and I do not need to refer
to anyone," Mahathir told reporters after the meeting at party
headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

As the meeting was going on, a crowd of about 10,000 people
gathered late Tuesday night in the eastern state of Pahang for an
anti-government rally organized by a new opposition coalition,
the Malaysian Justice Movement.

Thousands of postcards addressed to the prime minister were
circulated. The cards demanded Mahathir hold a general election
or step down.

The cards also urged Mahathir to repeal the Internal Security
Act, a draconian law that allows for imprisonment without trial,
said an organizer, Shamsul Maarif Ismail.

Anwar, Malaysia's former deputy premier, was arrested under
the ISA on Sept. 20 for organizing a huge anti-Mahathir rally. He
is also charged on 10 counts of corruption and illegal sexual
acts for which he will be tried beginning Nov. 2.

Tuesday night's rally took place at the regional headquarters
of the Islamic opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia or PAS which is
part of the new coalition of three opposition parties and more
than a dozen non-governmental organizations.

It was the first rally after a week of calm following several
anti-government street demonstrations in the capital that riot
police dispersed with tear gas and water cannons.

Shamsul said the rally was the beginning of a nationwide
roadshow for wide-scale lobbying against the ISA.

Anwar's arrest came after two weeks of nationwide rallies
resounding with calls for government reform and Mahathir's
resignation.

U.S. Vice-President Al Gore has urged the Malaysian government
not to stifle opposition but Mahathir told the Americans on
Wednesday to mind their own business.

In a statement, Gore said "recent actions" in Malaysia
suggested a "drift backward" even though the country had made
great progress to transform itself into an important economy and
political power.

"The government of Malaysia must engage dissenting voices --
not stifle them -- if it is to develop into a more prosperous,
democratic and stable society in the years to come," Gore said.

But Mahathir told a news conference in the early hours of
Wednesday that Malaysia was not beholden to the United States.

"We run our country in our own way. There are also a number of
things that we would like the American government to do. We think
that if we mind our own business, it will be better for
everybody," he said.

Mahathir consolidated his position in his (UMNO), with the
expulsion of 10 members linked to Anwar.

UMNO -- the linchpin of the National Front coalition
government -- also ordered letters sent to another 18 asking why
they should not be sacked.

Gore, in his Oct. 2 statement, said he was "profoundly
troubled" by Anwar's allegations that he was beaten up during
detention under ISA, noting that an independent physician
confirmed evidence of "blunt trauma" to the forehead and neck.

"I count Mr. Anwar among my friends and I call on the
Malaysian government to provide him complete and immediate
medical attention, to investigate this beating fully and fairly,
punish those responsible, and take every step necessary to
guarantee Mr. Anwar's future safety and security."

Gore is the highest ranking U.S. official to comment on the
crisis since Anwar was sacked and subsequently detained.

Mahathir also reacted angrily at the growing condemnation by
world leaders to the treatment Anwar is receiving in captivity.
"If we mind our own business, it will be better for everybody,"
he said.