U.S. Is 'Outraged' by 9-Year Prison Term : Malaysia Is Assailed Over Anwar Conviction 
International Herald Tribune
August 10, 2000
Thomas Fuller

Malaysia came under heavy international criticism Wednesday for imposing a nine-year prison sentence on its former deputy prime minister and most prominent government critic, Anwar Ibrahim.

Western governments joined human rights groups and legal bodies from around the world in condemning a verdict that was criticized as political.

The Australian prime minister, John Howard, said the verdict raised questions about the independence of Malaysia's judiciary.

"There is enough concern, given the long history of this, to cause me to worry that the judiciary there is not as independent as used to be the case," Mr. Howard said.

Richard Boucher, the spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said Washington was "very distressed" at Mr. Anwar's conviction and "outraged" by his sentence.

Mr. Boucher said the question of Malaysia's human rights record had impeded closer cooperation on many matters between the two countries. He added, "Today's verdict certainly doesn't help that situation."

A spokeswoman for the Canadian Foreign Ministry said the case was "seriously flawed."

"Canada is concerned over the deterioration of the independence of Malaysia's judicial system," said the spokeswoman, Marie-Christine Lilkoff. "The erosion of confidence in the rule of law not only threatens the rule of democracy in Malaysia but could also damage the nation's long-term economic prospects," she told Reuters.

The widespread criticism of the verdict and words of support for Mr. Anwar are seen as a reflection of Mr. Anwar's far-flung friendships cultivated during his days as Malaysia's finance minister.

James Wolfensohn, the president of the World Bank, called Mr. Anwar "not only a friend and a valued colleague" but also a "distinguished chairman of our development committee and a man who believed in speaking his mind." Mr. Wolfensohn added, "This sentence is very troubling."

Malaysia's prime minister, Mahathir bin Mohamad, who dismissed Mr. Anwar two years ago, setting off a prolonged political crisis, defended the ruling Wednesday.

"I am quite sure the court has given this sentence because the court thinks that is the right punishment," Mr. Mahathir said.

Malaysia's foreign minister, Syed Hamid Albar, also defended the ruling, rejecting the idea that the trial was part of a political conspiracy against Mr. Anwar.

"The government of Malaysia cannot but take offense at such blatant and deliberate disregard of the facts," Mr. Syed Hamid said.

Conspicuously silent in the aftermath of Mr. Anwar's conviction for sodomy were leaders of neighboring countries, some of whom had expressed support for Mr. Anwar soon after it was made public in 1998 that he was beaten by police officers while blindfolded and handcuffed in a cell.

The Philippine president, Joseph Estrada, who once called Mr. Anwar "my good friend" declined to comment on the case. A spokesman for Mr. Estrada said it was an "internal matter."

The Thai Prime Minister, Chuan Leekpai, also declined to pass judgment.

"It's Malaysia's internal affairs," Mr. Chuan told reporters in Bangkok. "We cannot criticize."

Mr. Anwar's conviction on sodomy charges removes him from politics until 2014, at the latest, assuming he serves a full sentence, in addition to a previous term of six years after being found guilty last year of abuse of power.

Malaysia's Bar Council called the sentence "manifestly excessive and harsh."

The widespread criticism of the trial "cannot, as is our habit, be dismissed offhand as having been made by foreigners or persons who have ulterior motives," said Roy Rajasingham, vice-president of the council, which represents Malaysia's lawyers.

It is unclear what real effect the Anwar verdict will have on what is a very open economy heavily reliant on international trade. Foreign investment has fallen off sharply in the past two years, but this does not seem specifically related to Mr. Anwar's treatment.

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