WHO IS SODOMIZING WHO? Utusan likens US criticism of Anwar case to sodomy

KUALA LUMPUR  - The United States is continuing to meddle in Malaysia’s domestic politics with its views on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, the Utusan Malaysia said in an editorial piece yesterday, which compared America’s action to “sodomising” the country’s legal and judiciary systems.

In a Sunday column by its editors, the Malay-language newspaper owned by the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party also tore into Anwar, pronouncing him guilty not only of sodomy but also of inviting the interference of foreign powers.

“Big powers such as the US wants to now ‘sodomise’ our legal and judiciary systems although the majority of Malaysians agreed with the court’s decision,” said Awang Selamat, the pseudonym used by Utusan editors.

“For Awang, Anwar not only has a sexual criminal offence but also inviting the meddling of foreign powers, an offence which is far bigger. Our sovereignty cannot be substituted.”

The column said the interference had been a result of Anwar’s lobbying of foreign countries for over a decade, by allegedly slandering Putrajaya in order to get support to save his skin.

Last Tuesday, the Federal Court upheld the Court of Appeal’s conviction of Anwar for sodomising his former political aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, also upholding a five-year jail sentence. The decision also leaves the Pakatan Rakyat opposition pact effectively without a head.

In the days since, several countries including the US, Australia and Canada have expressed concern and disappointment over the court ruling.

“The US is deeply disappointed and concerned by the rejection of Anwar Ibrahim’s final appeal and his conviction,” the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur said in a statement last week.

“The US has followed the trial of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim closely. The decision to prosecute Mr Anwar, and his trial, have raised serious concerns regarding the rule of law and the independence of the courts,” it added.

“The US and Malaysia have a strong partnership, and in the context of this relationship, we have regularly raised our serious concerns regarding the Anwar case with Malaysian officials and emphasised that fairness, transparency, and the rule of law are essential to promote confidence in Malaysia’s judicial system and democracy,” the embassy said.

Ties between the two countries were often strained in the past, particularly under the leadership of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who was critical of US foreign policy. But relations have improved in recent years and US President Barack Obama became the first sitting US President to visit Malaysia in nearly 50 years when he made a trip last year.

Last Thursday, Dr Mahathir laughed off Washington’s criticism of Anwar’s second sodomy conviction, saying the White House was only disappointed with the verdict because their “agent” has been imprisoned.

He said the White House’s response to the decision was expected since Anwar, who is still federal opposition leader, was seen as the US’ “agent for regime change”.

Meanwhile, an online petition urging the US government to negotiate Anwar’s release has collected over 50,000 signatures five days since its launch. The petition was filed on the White House’s online petitions page under the issues of “civil rights and liberties, foreign policy, human rights” just moments after Anwar’s conviction was announced last Tuesday and aims to collect 100,000 signatures by March 12. - Malay Mail