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.