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PAS : KE ARAH PEMERINTAHAN ISLAM YANG ADIL
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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (AFP) - Supporters of
Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim will go ahead with a
demonstration when his sodomy trial resumes
Tuesday despite a government warning, an
opposition party official said Wednesday.
"We intend to go ahead," said Tian Chua,
vice-president of the National Justice Party headed
by Anwar's wife. "We want to assert our right to
assemble peacefully."
Tian told AFP he was not sure how many would
attend the protest outside the court in support of
the jailed ex-deputy premier. But he said the number
was less important than the principle they were
trying to assert.
He said the demonstration would show support for
Anwar and also for seven opposition supporters
appearing in the magistrates' court that day. They
were detained during pro-Anwar protests at the
National Mosque last September.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Anwar's successor as
deputy premier, Tuesday warned the jailed
politician's supporters not to stage demonstrations,
saying protesters would be dealt with if they commit
offences.
"Do we want to turn the trial in court to a trial in
the streets for determination? That is not our way,
that is not the Malaysian way," Abdullah said.
Tian said organising peaceful public gatherings was
a basic civil right guaranteed by the constitution and
described Abdullah's comment as an apparent "form
of intimidation."
"Its aim has been nothing but to instil fear to
discourage the public to exercise their rights," he
said in a statement.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sacked his heir
apparent Anwar as finance minister and deputy
premier in September 1998. Anwar was detained later
that month after leading mass anti-government
protests.
He was jailed for six years last April for abusing his
official position by seeking to cover up allegations of
sexual misconduct and is now on trial for sodomy,
punishable by up to 20 years in jail.
The sodomy trial was postponed indefinitely on
November 15 just five days after Mahathir
announced a snap general election, which was held
November 29. The stated reason for the
postponement was that the judge was unwell.
Anwar, who had been giving evidence alleging
ministerial corruption, says the charges against him
stem from a top-level political conspiracy. He was
the candidate for prime minister of an opposition
alliance which contested the polls.
Last week four leading opposition figures and the
printer of an opposition newspaper were arrested and
charged -- four with sedition and one with breaching
the Official Secrets Act. They are free on bail
pending trial.
Among those charged with sedition -- over a
statement he made in court during the sodomy trial
-- was one of Anwar's defence lawyers, Karpal
Singh.
The arrests attracted widespread overseas
criticism including from the US State Department.
Abdullah has rejected the criticism as interference in
Malaysia's internal affairs.
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