by Dr. Chen Man Hin
Three international political and economic giants have called on the Malaysian government to drop sodomy charges against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on thursday 24th july.
They are Paul Martin former Canadian Prime Miniser, James Wolfenson former World Bank chief and Michael C amdesus former head of International Monetary Fund
A day earlier, US secretary of state Condolezza Rice strongly voiced her disfavour that Anwar was being singled our for sodomy charges again similar to the charges in 1998 ten years ago. Anwar was imprisoned for six years but the Federal Court absolved Anwar of sodomy charges in 2004.
In replly to foreign minister Rais Yatim’s objections on USA interventon in internal affairs, Rice maintained she would continue to raise Anwar’s issue in the interests of human rights and justice. She too implied the charges were fabricated and the sodomy charge should be removed.
Brad Adams, Asia directorThe world guardian of human rigts, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH on July 21 said “the Malaysian government’s record provides little basis to believe this is anything other than partisan political attack on Anwar. In the light of past FALSE ALLEGATIONS AND HIS UNFAIR TRIAL, Anwar has good reason to worry that his rights wont’t be respected”.
He continued: “Malysian government allegations that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim forcibly sodomised a male aide lack credibitily.
“Amwar’s arrest was a poitically motivated attempt to derail the opposition Alliance Pakatan Rakyat’s campaign to form a new government by September 16, 2008”
Alarmed at the unfriendly reaction from the world, a hurried meeting with all foreign envoys was called three days ago. Sources revealed that the sentiments of the envoys reflected the views of Condoleeza Rice, the canadian prime minister and the two former chiefs of World Bank and IMF
CALL ON ABDULLAH TO DECLARE ANWAR INNOCENT AND TO DROP THE SODOMY CHARGE.
1. International opinion and outrage at the ongoing second repetition of a sodomy charge,demands a rethink by PM abdullah by declaring Anwar innocent and free from all allegations of sodomy.
If Abdullah and his cabinet remain defiant and stubborn, the adverse feedback from foreign countries would be reflected in tensions with friendly countries and a drop in investor sentiments for Malaysia.
I do not advise PM Abdullah should stoke up unfriendly sentiments with USA, which is the biggest trading partner of Malaysia.
2. PM Abdullah should be aware of public opinion within the country.
A straw poll of public opinion on the sodomy allegations against Anwar has shown that nine out of ten respondents, feel that Anwar is being victimised, in the same manner of 1998, when he was found gulity of trumped-up charges of sodomy
Secondly, they feel that the whole affair is nothing more than a conspiracy to remove Anwar from politics, as he is a serious threat to the survival of UMNO
Thirdly, that the people have lost confidence in the instituions of the country, as these insitutions like the cabinet, the legislature, the judiciary,the courts and the police as these have been corrupted by the greed for power and retention of power — whatever the cost.
PM ABDULLAH SHOULD PAUSE HERE, RETHINK AND REVAMP HIS POLICIES TO RETURN TO SANITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.