Anwar 'desperate' to seek US support: Muhyiddin
Published: Aug 5, 2010 12:20 PM | Updated: Aug 6, 2010 3:25 AM
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today stressed that Malaysia would not bow to pressure from any quarters, including foreign countries, over the sodomy case involving PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today stressed that Malaysia would not bow to pressure from any quarters, including foreign countries, over the sodomy case involving PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim.
He said such interference was a futile exercise and also showed that Anwar was desperate that he had resorted to using a "lifeline" by collaborating with his foreign friends to serve his own interest.
"It's a futile attempt, as no quarters in Malaysia will bow to the calls (for Anwar to be freed from the sodomy charge).
"As a former deputy prime minister, Anwar should know better but the question is - is he so desperate as to ask for help from his American friends?
"The answer is clear now," he said after opening the Perak Agrofest 2010 at Ladang Infoternak in Sungai Siput today.
Muhyiddin was earlier asked by reporters on the statement by former United States vice-president Al Gore and former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz published in the Asian Wall Street Journal which called for the US government to intervene in Anwar's sodomy case which is currently being heard before the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
DPM: I'm surprised
In the statement, besides describing Anwar as "possessing qualities that encourage hope for the future", Gore and Wolfowitz said Malaysians should not be deprived of the opportunity to decide on who they wish to lead them by an abuse of judicial power.
They also urged their government "to make clear the importance the US attaches to the role of the law in sustaining a political process in which justice and freedom are natural allies".
Muhyiddin said such a call was inappropriate as Malaysia practised democracy and had it owns laws and well-managed legal system, which Gore and Wolfowitz should respect, like they did for their own country's laws and legal system.
"We obey our country's laws but while Anwar's case is still being heard in court, I'm surprised why he's turning to outside help, as though he's so desperate.
"Is it because he's not capable of standing up for himself or feels that he has a weak case? I don't wish to be prejudiced as the case is still before the court," he said.
Muhyiddin said Anwar should know that no foreign power could interfere in Malaysia's legal system.
Zaid should accept court decision
On the High Court's decision to strike out the petition by PKR candidate and former minister Zaid Ibrahim against Hulu Selangor MP P Kamalanathan from BN to declare the by-election null and void for alleged bribery by BN, Muhyiddin said the opposition should accept the decision.
"All along we've abided by the law and regulations in every by-election or general election. Therefore, the court's decision should not be challenged.
"We know the people had made the right decision by choosing our candidate as they have confidence in BN.
"What is more important now is that Kamalanathan is no longer 'disturbed' by the legal case so that he can fully concentrate on his responsibilities for his constituents.
"We are monitoring our (BN) elected representatives and he is among the most active new ones.
"He knows that in the current political situation, all our elected reps cannot slack but be fully committed to serve the people."
In the Hulu Selangor by-election on April 25, Kamalanathan defeated Zaid by a 1,725-vote majority.
- Bernama
He said such interference was a futile exercise and also showed that Anwar was desperate that he had resorted to using a "lifeline" by collaborating with his foreign friends to serve his own interest.
"It's a futile attempt, as no quarters in Malaysia will bow to the calls (for Anwar to be freed from the sodomy charge)."As a former deputy prime minister, Anwar should know better but the question is - is he so desperate as to ask for help from his American friends?
"The answer is clear now," he said after opening the Perak Agrofest 2010 at Ladang Infoternak in Sungai Siput today.
Muhyiddin was earlier asked by reporters on the statement by former United States vice-president Al Gore and former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz published in the Asian Wall Street Journal which called for the US government to intervene in Anwar's sodomy case which is currently being heard before the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
DPM: I'm surprised
In the statement, besides describing Anwar as "possessing qualities that encourage hope for the future", Gore and Wolfowitz said Malaysians should not be deprived of the opportunity to decide on who they wish to lead them by an abuse of judicial power.
They also urged their government "to make clear the importance the US attaches to the role of the law in sustaining a political process in which justice and freedom are natural allies".Muhyiddin said such a call was inappropriate as Malaysia practised democracy and had it owns laws and well-managed legal system, which Gore and Wolfowitz should respect, like they did for their own country's laws and legal system.
"We obey our country's laws but while Anwar's case is still being heard in court, I'm surprised why he's turning to outside help, as though he's so desperate.
"Is it because he's not capable of standing up for himself or feels that he has a weak case? I don't wish to be prejudiced as the case is still before the court," he said.
Muhyiddin said Anwar should know that no foreign power could interfere in Malaysia's legal system.
Zaid should accept court decision
On the High Court's decision to strike out the petition by PKR candidate and former minister Zaid Ibrahim against Hulu Selangor MP P Kamalanathan from BN to declare the by-election null and void for alleged bribery by BN, Muhyiddin said the opposition should accept the decision.
"All along we've abided by the law and regulations in every by-election or general election. Therefore, the court's decision should not be challenged.
"We know the people had made the right decision by choosing our candidate as they have confidence in BN.
"What is more important now is that Kamalanathan is no longer 'disturbed' by the legal case so that he can fully concentrate on his responsibilities for his constituents.
"We are monitoring our (BN) elected representatives and he is among the most active new ones.
"He knows that in the current political situation, all our elected reps cannot slack but be fully committed to serve the people."
In the Hulu Selangor by-election on April 25, Kamalanathan defeated Zaid by a 1,725-vote majority.
- Bernama
View Comments0