Democracy News

Trial Begins for Malaysian Opposition Leader
February 4, 2010
By: Paul Larson | Printer Friendly

The BBC reports that January 3rd marked the start of a trial of Malaysian opposition party leader Anwar Ibrahim on charges of sodomy.  This is the second time Mr. Anwar has been charged with such crimes. Mr. Ibrahim denies committing sodomy and alleges the accusations are a “nasty conspiracy” against him.  Amnesty International also criticizes the charges as a means to remove Mr. Anwar from politics and protect the ruling party’s control over Parliament. 

The most recent accuser is a 24 year old man Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a former member of Mr. Anwar’s campaign staff.  The testimony was heard behind closed doors due to its graphic nature.  Mr. Anwar was denied access to medical evidence, DNA and CCTV tapes until the trial had begun.  His attorney’s stated that withholding access to evidence prevented a proper defense.

Sodomy is illegal in Malaysia with up to a 20 year prison sentence.  However, even if anything more than one year is given, the convicted cannot hold public office for five years after his or her release, according to the New York Times. Mr. Anwar fled to the Turkish embassy when the accusations were announced back in August 2008, but only remained in the Turkish compound for a few days.  He reported that he feared for his safety, but said he would not seek asylum.

The New York Times reports that Mr. Anwar’s political group, the People’s Justice Party, has been surging with record electoral gains in the past year and poses a political threat to Prime Mister Najib Razak.  The party now controls five Malaysian states and is aiming to win majority control of the Parliament. 

Mr. Anwar spent six years in prison due to the first charge of sodomy.  He was eventually acquitted and released from prison in 2004.  The additional charges of abuse of power remained, alleging that Mr. Anwar attempted to cover up the evidence. 

Sources:

BBC News - Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial visits Kuala Lumpur flat

New York Times - Trial of Opposition Leader Could Reshape Malaysian Politics

New York Times Malaysia Opposition Leader Accused of Sodomizing Aide