TERIMA KASIH MATRIX

 

US deeply concerned by Anwar's loss of legal appeal

WASHINGTON, April 1 (AFP) - The United States said Monday it was troubled by a Malaysian court's weekend rejection of an appeal by former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, who seeks to avoid a six-year jail term.
"The United States is deeply concerned by the April 29 decision of Malaysia's appeals court to reject (Anwar's) appeal of his conviction on four counts of corruption," US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

In a statement, Boucher noted that many Malaysian and outside observers had found Anwar's original trial flawed and that the former official had not been given a "fair opportunity to defend himself."

"We urge Malaysia's judicial system to address widespread concerns about the lack of due process given in a proper and transparent manner to Anwar's case," he said.

Anwar, the former heir apparent to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was jailed in April 1999 on four counts of corruption and abusing his official powers to cover up the allegations.

He has vehemently denied charges, calling himself a victim of "political persecution" because he was seen as a threat to Mahathir, and also disputed accusations of sexual crimes.

In rejecting his appeal on Saturday, the appeals court said there was "no doubt whatsoever" that Anwar abused his official powers by ordering police in 1997 to intimidate two people into withdrawing sexual allegations against him.

Anwar is now on trial for sodomy, punishable by up to 20 years in jail, but has been refused permission to call Mahathir as a witness.

The United States and international legal groups have said they believe the prosecution of Anwar to be political and earlier this year in its annual human rights report, the US State Department found fault with the proceedings.

"Improper conduct by the police and prosecutors, along with many questionable rulings by the judge, denied Anwar a fair opportunity to defend himself," the report said.