FED: Howard expresses concern over Anwar jailing

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-1999
FED: Howard expresses concern over Anwar jailing

WILLIAMTOWN, NSW, April 15 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today said people had every
reason to be concerned about the lurch towards authoritarianism in Malaysia after the jailing
of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar was jailed for six years on corruption charges, effectively barring him from politics
for at least five years after his release from prison.

He had repeatedly declared his innocence, saying he was the victim of a political
conspiracy to eliminate his challenge to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's 18-year rule.

Mr Howard called on Malaysian courts to conduct a transparent trial for Anwar during his
appeal.

"The eyes of the world are on Malaysia," he told reporters.

"The appeal process must be utterly transparent and it must appear to be utterly
transparent.

"I do know that this is no ordinary situation and people have every reason to be concerned
about the lurch towards authoritarianism in that country."

Mr Howard said he was speaking as the prime minister of a country that was very friendly
towards Malaysia.

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KEYWORD: MALAYSIA ANWAR HOWARD

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