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Breaking News: Malaysia NST / AFP _infoseek & reuters: anwar +ibrahim

 

Malaysia's Anwar appeals against no bail -lawyer
04:58 a.m. Oct 13, 1998 Eastern

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Sacked Malaysian finance minister Anwar Ibrahim has launched an appeal against a court decision to refuse him bail on his indictment for sodomy and corruption, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

The appeal is the second step taken in five days by lawyers of the former deputy prime minister to secure his release from custody.

On October 8, Anwar's lawyers filed a writ of habeas corpus to free him from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows a person to be held without trial. The motion will be heard on October 24.

``The appeal for bail is another matter altogether, which could take up to a month to hear,'' lawyer S.N. Nair, who filed the appeal in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Tuesday, told Reuters.

He said the appeal would be heard by the Malaysian Court of Appeals, which is above the High Court.

Anwar, sacked from the cabinet by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad last month, has been charged on 10 counts of sodomy and corruption.

He has denied all the allegations against him, and his trial is scheduled to start on November 2.

Nair said it could be well into the trial before the courts decide whether Anwar could be allowed bail.

Until last week, Anwar's team of eight lawyers said they had not been able to confer with him outside of court due to his ISA detention, which does not allow him to receive visitors freely.

Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, also lamented that she and her children have not been able to see him in custody.

Police relented on Saturday and allowed Anwar to meet both his lawyers and family.

``It should be smooth from now. I don't expect any major problems from the police,'' said another Anwar lawyer, who declined to be identified.


Copyright 1998 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication and redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

 

Malaysia court to hear Anwar appeal on Oct 24
10:55 p.m. Oct 11, 1998 Eastern

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Reuters) - A Malaysian court will hear on October 24 an appeal by sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim to be released from detention, one of his lawyers said Monday.

Anwar's lawyers filed the appeal to free the former cabinet minister last week, saying he was being held illegally since his arrest on September 20.

``The hearing for the writ of habeas corpus is on October 24,'' Pawancheek Merican, one of Anwar's eight lawyers, told Reuters.

Habeas corpus requires a jailer to produce a prisoner in person and state the reasons for detention.

Anwar was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows indefinite detention without trial, after leading thousands of protesters through the streets of the capital calling for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to step down.

Authorities accused Anwar of inciting followers to riot. Later he was indicted on 10 counts of sexual misconduct and corruption.

Anwar has been held under the ISA at federal police headquarters since his arrest. Family members and lawyers were allowed to visit him in detention for the first time last week.

The writ names the head of Malaysia's federal police force, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Rahim Noor, as the respondent in the court action.

Anwar's trial on the criminal charges is set to start on November 2. He has pleaded not guilty to all 10 charges, and said he was the victim of a conspiracy to end his political career and prevent him from exposing corruption in the government.

Protests by Anwar's supporters have generally died down since he was arraigned in court late last month.

But they flared up on Friday when several hundred students from the Universiti Malaya demonstrated in the capital calling for Mahathir to step down. Police stood by and waited for the demonstrators to disperse without intervening.

On Saturday, several thousand protesters walked through the capital's streets denouncing Mahathir. Police arrested nine people and fired several rounds of tear gas, but the protest ended peacefully after police urged demonstrators to disperse.

One of Anwar's lawyers said visiting lawyers from the International Commission of Human Rights had asked to meet the defence team and other judicial officials on the case.

``The lawyers from the International Commission of Human Rights have said they would like to meet us, the attorney-general and the chief justice,'' the lawyer, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.

However, he said no dates had been fixed for the meeting.

The lawyer also said Anwar's defence team had not asked the commission for legal assistance.


Copyright 1998 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication and redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Reuters News Service

 

 

Malaysia court to hear Anwar appeal on Oct 24
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 - A Malaysian court will hear on October 24 an appeal by sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim to be released from detention, one of his lawyers said Monday. Anwar's lawyers
Sun 11 Oct 22:55 Reuters News Service

Malaysia lawyers urge Anwar release, repeal of law
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 - Malaysia's Bar Council on Saturday demanded the release of sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim and others detained under the country's tough Internal Security Act. The
Sat 10 Oct 5:06 Reuters News Service

Malaysia Anwar sees lawyers as students protest
By K. Baranee Krishnaan KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 - Lawyers for sacked Malaysian minister Anwar Ibrahim met him in his police cell on Friday to prepare his defence against charges of sodomy and corruption
Fri 9 Oct 8:41 Reuters News Service

Malaysia's Anwar meets lawyers in cell
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 - Lawyers for sacked Malaysian finance minister Anwar Ibrahim said they held their first meeting with him in his police cell on Friday to prepare his defence against charges of
Fri 9 Oct 7:15 Reuters News Service

Malaysia asks What's so special about Anwar?
MANILA, Oct 8 - Malaysian Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz would like someone to explain the fuss about Anwar Ibrahim, the former deputy prime minister who was sacked and then arrested on charges of
Thu 8 Oct 9:22 Reuters News Service

Lawyers for Malaysia's Anwar seek his release
By K. Baranee Krishnaan KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 - Lawyers for sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday asked a Malaysian court to free him from detention, saying he was being held illegally and
Thu 8 Oct 6:27 Reuters News Service

Lawyers ask court to order Malaysia's Anwar freed
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 - Sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim's lawyers asked a Malaysian court on Thursday to order him released from detention. Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, told reporters in
Thu 8 Oct 3:53 Reuters News Service

Thai premier to attend APEC summit in Malaysia
BANGKOK, Oct 8 - Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Kuala Lumpur next month despite political tension in Malaysia, a Thai official said on
Thu 8 Oct 3:06 Reuters News Service

ASEAN members ignore Anwar issue at Manila meet
MANILA, Oct 7 - ASEAN members meeting in Manila on Wednesday studiously avoided the subject of Anwar Ibrahim, the former Malaysian deputy prime minister and finance minister who appeared in court
Wed 7 Oct 2:05 Reuters News Service

Judge in Anwar case is newcomer to High Court
By K. Baranee Krishnaan KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 - Augustine Paul, the judge presiding over the trial of sacked minister Anwar Ibrahim, is one of the newest members of the Kuala Lumpur High Court bench
Wed 7 Oct 2:05 Reuters News Service

 

 

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Malaysian opposition coalition unsure of direction: report

Oct 12 1998
11:20

A Malaysian opposition coalition formed after the arrest of ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim "is unsure of its direction," the New Straits Times reported Monday.

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Anwar's exiled supporters told to stop badmouthing Malaysia

Oct 12 1998
10:12

The man who replaced ousted finance minister Anwar Ibrahim at last week's meeting of the World Bank says Anwar's exiled supporters should stop badmouthing Malaysia and return home.

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Malaysian opposition leader says he was kicked, punched by police

Oct 12 1998
9:01

A Malaysian opposition leader has lodged a complaint of police brutality following his arrest while observing clashes between police and supporters of ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, a report said Monday.

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International rights lawyers bid to defend Malaysia's Anwar

Oct 11 1998
19:03

Members of an international network of human rights lawyers have teamed up with local advocates to help defend detained former Malaysian deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, a group official said Sunday.

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India's "bandit queen" a hit at 'untouchables' conference in Malaysia

Oct 11 1998
17:28

India's "bandit queen," Phoolan Devi, is claiming she has the right to take revenge against those who raped her, press reports said here Sunday.

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Malaysian police arrest Indian under security law

Oct 11 1998
15:42

Malaysian police have arrested an ethnic Indian civil engineer under the harsh Internal Security Act (ISA), a human rights group said Sunday.

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International human rights lawyers bid to defend Malaysia's Anwar

Oct 11 1998
14:37

Members of an international network of human rights lawyers have teamed up with local advocates to help defend detained former Malaysian deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, a group official said Sunday.

*

Swaziland king in Malaysia for six-day state visit

Oct 11 1998
14:07

King Mswati III of Swaziland arrived Sunday for a six-day state visit to Malaysia to enhance bilateral ties, the foreign ministry said.

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Malaysian Moslems' anger simmers over Anwar detention

Oct 11 1998
13:21

A deep-seated anger is simmering among Malaysia's ethnic Malays who vow to persist in their protests in support of detained former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, observers say.

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Nine arrested as Malaysian police disperse five-hour gathering

Oct 10 1998
21:11

Malaysian police said they arrested nine protestors but otherwise managed to peacefully disperse late Saturday a five-hour gathering of about 10,000 people after a tense standoff with water cannon and riot police.

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Thousands of protestors march to main plaza in Malaysian capital

Oct 10 1998
20:16

Thousands of Malaysians defied police and marched to the main square here Saturday after saying prayers at the national mosque in a renewed show of support for detained former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

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"The sound of the whistle has blown and we are marching ..."

Oct 10 1998
19:21

Words of the patriotic song "Barisan Kita" sung by Malaysian soldiers going into battle, heard at the latest anti-government protest in support of detained former deputy premier Amwar Ibrahim on Saturday:

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Thousands voice support for Anwar in new anti-government rally

Oct 10 1998
18:37

Thousands of Malaysians defied police warnings to gather in a downtown area here Saturday in a fresh anti-government protest and a noisy show of support for detained former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

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Thousands voice support for Anwar in new mass rally

Oct 10 1998
17:38

Thousands of Malaysians defiantly gathered in a downtown area here Saturday in a noisy show of support for detained deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, witnesses said.


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©AFP 1998

Protesters stage illegal gathering
About 7,000 people ignored police advice and staged an illegal gathering at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday afternoon. The group, which appeared organised and disciplined, started gathering peacefully along the road at about 4.30pm.

 

Malaysian opposition leader says he was kicked, punched by police

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (AFP) - A Malaysian opposition leader has lodged a complaint of police brutality following his arrest while observing clashes between police and supporters of ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, a report said Monday.

Tian Chua, chairman of the Coalition for People's Democracy, alleged he was beaten by a baton-wielding riot policeman and also punched and kicked in the head and back by "special branch" officers in plain clothes.

The text of the complaint was carried in Monday's edition of Haraka, the twice-weekly newspaper of the opposition Parti Islam Semalaysia (Pas) which heads another coalition as well as being a member of Tian's group.

Both groups were launched a day before Tian's arrest on September 28, when scores of protestors were detained for assembling illegally in Merdeka Square. Tian was held just one night before being released.

The square was the site of a rally by Anwar and tens of thousands of supporters a week earlier when the former deputy premier himself was arrested for internal security reasons.

Anwar has since appeared in court with a black eye and a bruised arm, alleging that he too had been beaten by police. He remains in indefinite detention but goes on trial next month on four corruption charges.

At an emergency meeting of 2,500 lawyers on Saturday, the Malaysian Bar Council expressed "grave concern" over the allegations of police brutality by Anwar, Tian and others who have been detained.

Since Anwar's sacking, 16 of his associates have been detained under the ISA. Thirteen of the 16 have been released.


Malaysian police arrest Indian under security law

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (AFP) - Malaysian police have arrested an ethnic Indian civil engineer under the harsh Internal Security Act (ISA), a human rights group said Sunday.

Mahinder Singh Randhwa, 55, was detained under the ISA after 10,000 people gathered in a downtown area Saturday, a spokesman from the Suaram Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), or Voice of the Malaysian People told AFP.

He was last seen in front of the court house opposite the capital's main plaza where a standoff between the demonstrators and police took place before the five-hour rally was peacefully dispersed.

Saturday's rally was the largest gathering in support of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim since his arrest on September 20 under the security law.

"We don't know where he's (Mahinder) being held. It's not clear why they arrested him," said the spokesman.

Mahinder's family were informed of his arrest Sunday morning, the spokesman said.

The group said Mahinder was not among nine people, including an Indonesian, who were arrested for illegal assembly at the Saturday rally and later released.

Since Anwar's sacking on September 2 and his later arrest, 16 of his associates have been detained under the ISA, which provides for indefinite detention usually without trial.

Thirteen of the 16 have been released, the latest being Kamaruddin Jaafar, chairman of the Institute of Policy Research who was freed on Friday.


"This is widespread," Chandra added.


Nine arrested as Malaysian police disperse five-hour gathering

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (AFP) - Malaysian police said they arrested nine protestors but otherwise managed to peacefully disperse late Saturday a five-hour gathering of about 10,000 people after a tense standoff with water cannon and riot police.

The protestors began moving away from the main square in the capital after an appeal by local police chief Zainul Abidin, with some smiling demonstrators shaking hands and even hugging members of the police contingent of at least 350, witnesses said.

"You have been demonstrating enough," Zainal told the anti-government protestors, who gathered earlier in nearby streets in a defiant show of support for detained former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

"If there's any problems, cone and see me," he told the protestors, who marched to the square from the nearby mosque -- the same route taken by tens of thousands of protestors on September 20 when Anwar was arrested.

Six police trucks and a water cannon were deployed during the standoff with about 200 police officers, backed up by about 60 riot police armed with batons or shields and at least 90 plainclothed agents.

One of the demonstrators then grabbed Zainal's megaphone to ask fellow protestors to disperse. "Let's move away from here peacefully," he said.

About 15 minutes before the standoff ended, police gave a final warning to women and children to leave the square, the scene of several clashes between police and Anwar supporters following the former finance minister's arrest on September 20.


Thousands of protestors march to main plaza in Malaysian capital

KUALA LUMPUR, October 10 (AFP) - Thousands of Malaysians defied police and marched to the main square here Saturday after saying prayers at the national mosque in a renewed show of support for detained former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

The protesters, numbering about 10,000 and almost all ethnic Malays, had gathered in a downtown area in the late afternoon along a three-kilometre (two-mile) stretch of a major thoroughfare.

Linked arm in arm, they carried hundreds of pictures of Anwar and shouted "reformasi" slogans as they made their way to Merdeka Square with placards reading "Free Anwar" and "Long Live Anwar."

Others openly denounced Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who sacked Anwar on September 2 and made various allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

During the march to the square, five men unfurled a long banner which read "Overthrow Mahathir, Free Anwar."

There was no sign of riot police, although there were around 60 police from the regular force who were monitoring the crowd from the sidelines.

Traffic along the route was still flowing although vehicles had to squeeze through one lane because of the spillover from the crowd.

Some of the protestors said they planned to march to Anwar's house for a candlelight vigil late Saturday.

But one police officer said he had heard the crowd was planning to march to Mahathir's residence.

"As long as the crowd moves peacefully we will not charge them," he said.


"Mahathir has run out of ideas. We can no longer accept his orders. This is a form of defiance," the young man said. "All the country's wealth has been given to his children and his friends. The Malaysian people have been impoverished. We hate the government and the leadership of Mahathir."


Thousands voice support for Anwar in new mass rally

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (AFP) - Thousands of Malaysians defiantly gathered in a downtown area here Saturday in a noisy show of support for detained deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, witnesses said.

The protesters, shouting "reformasi" slogans, lined a three kilometre (two mile) stretch of a major thoroughfare, carrying hundreds of pictures of the ousted finance minister and placards reading "Free Anwar" and "Long Live Anwar."

About 7,000 people lined the street and shops were closed in the area, which is usually the site of a busy market on Saturday evenings.

Some 30 policemen were monitoring the scene but there were no signs of any clashes and traffic was moving normally, with some cars beeping their horns in an apparent show of sympathy for the protestors.

On Friday police in Kuala Lumpur and the northern state of Penang warned people to avoid illegal gatherings and said they would crack down on those taking part including stall operators and shoppers.

"We are taking precautions to ensure there are no illegal gatherings. Anyone who flouts the directive will be dealt with in accordance with the law," deputy inspector-general of police Norian Mai was quoted as saying.

Following Anwar's arrest on September 20, police have warned against illegal gatherings, defined here as anything involving more than four people.


Saturday October 10 12:26 PM EDT

Thousands Protest in Malaysia

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/p/ap/19981010/wl/malaysia_politics_84x.htmlAP Photo
AP Photo

By RANJAN ROY Associated Press Writer

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) _ Malaysia is lashing out at neighboring Asian countries for sympathizing with dissident leader Anwar Ibrahim, whose detention sparked yet another protest Saturday.

``We should not interfere in the internal political affairs of other countries, especially the friendly nations,'' tourism minister Sabbaruddin Chik said Saturday in the latest such criticism.

His comments came a day after Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi blasted Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines for showing solidarity for the ousted deputy prime minister, who was arrested as he mounted a political challenge to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's 17-year-rule.

``We cannot accept any interference,'' Abdullah told reporters Friday.

Even as the tourism minister spoke, thousands of demonstrators defied authorities again Saturday and rallied in downtown Kuala Lumpur to support the jailed reformer politician and to demand the prime minister's resignation.

Shouting ``Reforms, reforms,'' the protesters marched to the National Mosque and then to the Independence Square. Passing drivers honked in support and the crowd cheered back, raising their fists.

After more than 15 minutes of repeated requests by the police, the crowd dispersed.

World leaders expressed shock and concern after Anwar appeared in court last month with bruises on his body and a black eye, alleging he was hit repeatedly on the first night of captivity on Sept. 20.

He was fired by Mahathir on Sept. 2 after being dubbed too immoral to rule. Anwar faces trial beginning Nov. 2 on 10 counts of corruption and illegal homosexual acts. He has denied all the charges, saying they were fabricated to eliminate the challenge he posed to Mahathir.

His case has prompted Malaysians to publicly criticize their government in a nation where state authority always went unquestioned.

On Friday, Anwar's wife, Azizah Ismail, said she had received a ``letter of inspiration'' from former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, whose own husband was murdered 15 years ago for opposing then Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

``I can very well understand your present difficulties and I want you to know that I truly admire you for your courage and strength,'' Aquino said in the letter.

She said she had faith in ``people power,'' the popular support that helped overthrow Marcos three years later.

Not only have the interviews given by Azizah since Anwar's arrest helped kindle sympathy overseas, but many of Anwar's supporters have also traveled to neighboring countries to criticize Mahathir.

On Saturday, Sabbaruddin, the tourism minister, condemned one such reported meeting between an Anwar supporter and Philippine President Joseph Estrada in Manila.

``They (foreign leaders) should have been more sensitive especially if they are aware that this person is out to discredit Malaysia,'' said Sabbaruddin.

A leading Malaysian daily said such remarks from Asian countries were straining relations with Malaysia.

Indonesia's President B.J. Habibie of Indonesia, who has voiced concern over Anwar's injuries and detention, said recently he was canceling a visit to Kuala Lumpur because of domestic concerns.

Thailand's powerful finance minister also joined a chorus of condemnation.

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