Supporters of jailed Anwar hold rally in Kuala Lumpur

Supporters of jailed Anwar hold rally in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): About 100 supporters of jailed former finance minister Anwar Ibrahim shouted anti-government slogans in Malaysia's capital on Wednesday to mark the end of his second year in custody.

The demonstrators outside the National Stadium shouted "Reformasi" (Reform), the rallying cry of Anwar's movement that seeks to end Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's 19-year rule.

"Free Anwar, End this tyranny," read a banner, as opposition leaders spoke against a police decision not to allow a pro-Anwar rally in the stadium.

The crowd dispersed after stadium officials agreed to accept 21,000 ringgit ($5,562) in deposit for the use of the stadium for a rally planned on Oct. 7. Police made no arrests.

"They said they'll let us know in a few days if we can use the stadium," said Saari Sungib, an organizer for the rally.

Anwar was arrested on Sept. 20, 1998 -- 18 days after Mahathir sacked him for low morals, an accusation he denies.

Anwar's sacking and arrest provoked unprecedented anti- government protests. He says he is the victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by Mahathir, who denies the accusation. Mahathir says Anwar sought to topple his government.

The former prime-minister-in-waiting is serving two jail sentences for sodomy and corruption.

In Washington, a U.S. human rights group said it was planning a demonstration outside the Malaysian embassy.

The Washington-based International Campaign for the Preservation of Human Rights said it would protest against what it called the "unjust imprisonment" of Anwar and to mark his "sacrifices for democracy and reforms".

Ten thousand protesters took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur on the anniversary of Anwar's detention last year, forcing a police crackdown on his allies.

But this year, only a dinner for 1,000 opposition leaders and supporters has been planned, prompting government officials to remark that support for Anwar was waning. "I don't think people are interested in this sort of activity anymore," Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said on Monday.

But Anwar's supporters denied their movement was dying.

"It's easy for him to lie after using the police to crush any form of peaceful demonstration we make," said Saari, referring to Abdullah.

Earlier on Wednesday, Anwar was taken to the University Hospital to visit his ailing mother, Che Yan, hospital sources told Reuters. He spent less than an hour with her.

Unless overturned on appeal, Anwar's two jail sentences will keep him in the political wilderness until 2014.

Anwar's term could be cut by a third for good behavior but he would still be barred from public office for five years after his release.

In a related development, a senior Malaysian official has said that three teachers may be charged with sedition for allegedly poisoning the minds of their pupils with anti-government views.

The teachers come from the northern states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, where support for Mahathir's 19-year rule has eroded in favor of the fundamentalist Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party.

Authorities have accused PAS of spreading anti-government propaganda through schools.

On Tuesday, Rais Yatim, minister in the prime minister's department, said that police would record statements from the three teachers with an eye to prosecution.

"Those involved are being watched, and I hope they are prepared to explain why they did this to students," Rais was quoted a saying by the national news agency Bernama. "It is then up to the Attorney-General to take specific action in prosecution."

Rais said some teachers in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah used school time to spread their political message and instill the culture of hate and that such offenses occurred in both state and religious schools.