Gerakan has objected to a resolution adopted by a regional organisation, in which it is a member, which expresses concern about the impartiality in the trial of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (Cald) on May 15 passed the resolution at its conference in Jakarta, stating its concern that Anwar's current trial "does not seem to meet the highest standards of impartiality".

Cald is a forum of major political parties formed in 1993 as a response to the wave of democratic changes experienced by the region.

To date, it has eight members from East and Southeast Asia which include the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan, Singapore Democratic Party and Liberal Party of Thailand.

Gerakan objected to the resolution citing the reason that "it is the right of any prime minister to remove whomsoever he appoints to a post for whatever reason". The resolution, however, was supported by all the other seven members of Cald.

According to Gerakan vice president Dr S. Vijayaratnam, in such a scenario, the person concerned is expected to accept such a decision with decorum, as he was installed there at the prime minister's pleasure in the first place.

"However, when the affected person then goes around the country fomenting dissent and hatred against the government of the day, organising mass rallies to whip up sentiments to the extent of threatening public order and security, it gives rise to concern," Dr. Vijayaratnam said.

He said that the government felt it was incumbent to take preventive measures by detaining Anwar when his actions culminated in "unruly mobs threatening to burn down the PM's residence and forced their way into the Umno headquarters, smashing window panes and destroying property".

The resolution also requested the Malaysian authorities to ensure that humanitarian conditions, inclusive of ready access to his family are observed and called on the judiciary to "not only uphold justice but also to protect impartially the rights of democratic leaders in Malaysia".

However, Vijayaratnam who is also Gerakan's international affairs bureau chairman said Cald's comments on the Malaysian judiciary are unfair and unwarranted.

He said that proper procedure is being followed in the trial and Anwar has retained excellent counsel.

"The proceedings are in accordance with the law, and the extended period taken for each matter to be heard demonstrates that the defendant (Anwar) has every opportunity to state his case," Vijayaratnam said.

"This is no kangaroo court," he added, saying that the intricacies of the Malaysian system of justice are manifold, and many technicalities were ploughed through painstakingly and exhaustively.

According to Vijayaratnam, Gerakan agreed that Anwar's family members should have access to him but it has to be in accordance with the prison's regulations as for other prisoners.

"There is no reason to believe that the Prisons Department does comply with procedure," he said.

Dr. Vijayaratnam also said that the judicial systems throughout the world continually strive to improve, and Malaysia is no exception.

"Having said that, the current system, modeled on the British one, and which has served the nation all these years, will continue to stay in place," he said.

This is not the only time that Gerakan finds itself at odds with all the other members of Cald. The party also abstained from supporting several resolutions on Burma.

Gerakan did not support the resolutions recognising the Burma's Committee Representing the People's Parliament as the only legitimate body that represent the will of the Burmese people.

The party also refused to ask the military junta in Burma, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to stop its human rights abuses and to denounce the discrimination by the military regime against civilians who are deprived of educational opportunity.

According to Vijayaratnam, the Gerakan central working committee's stand on Burma is in line with that of the Malaysian government.

"We are unable to support any resolution that challenges the sovereignty of the current government of Burma," he said, adding that Malaysia believes in the policy of "constructive engagement" with the SPDC, as accepted by Asean.

It is learnt that Cald is increasingly frustrated by Gerakan's "anti-democratic" stance within the regional body, which is formed to help advance democracy in Asia.

Apparently, KeADILan is being approached by some members to join Cald. Such a move is expected to receive strenuous opposition from Gerakan.