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.