FED: Australia concerned over Anwar jailing

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-1999
FED: Australia concerned over Anwar jailing

By Stephen Spencer, Diplomatic Correspondent

CANBERRA, April 14 AAP - Australia today expressed concern over the jailing of former
Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar Ibraham for six years on corruption charges.

While not condemning the verdict, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer made clear that
Australia was not entirely satisfied with the way the case against Anwar had been conducted.

"I note with concern the sentencing in Kuala Lumpur today of Anwar Ibrahim," he said in a
statement.

Mr Downer specifically referred to criticism of the trial and allegations of judicial bias.

"I must emphasise our hope that the appeal process will address the legal concerns raised
by Anwar's defence team and also previously by the Malaysian Bar Council in a fair and
transparent fashion," he said.

But while Mr Downer would only allude to the conduct of the trial, opposition foreign
affairs spokesman Laurie Brereton pulled no punches.

"The proceedings against Anwar clearly amount to a case of political persecution," he said
in a statement.

"This is a black day for justice, for human rights and for Malaysia's international
standing."

The Australian Democrats went even further, calling on Malaysia to be suspended from the
Commonwealth.

"The Commonwealth must act to curb Malaysia's escalating attacks on human rights and
constitutional safeguards," Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Vicki Bourne said in a
statement.

"Anwar Ibrahim was arrested on spurious charges that were motivated by political
difference.

"The whole trial process was a farce which undermined judicial integrity and independence
in Malaysia."

However, former prime minister Bob Hawke, whose well-publicised clashes with Malaysian
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad almost led to a break in relations with Australia, today
appealed for calm.

"The important thing is that it looks as though it is going to resolve not in a bloody way
by the bullet, but by the ballot," he said.

"That's the way the Malaysians want it to happen and certainly what's in the interests of
the region and of Australia."

Mr Hawke said he hoped the situation would resolve itself in such a way that Australia
would be able to continue its good economic and political relations with Malaysia.

"That now is an internal matter and I hope that it works out in a peaceful way," he said.

AAP ss/sc/ao/de

KEYWORD: MALAYSIA ANWAR AUST

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