WEDNESDAY-2 JULY 2008- DIPLOMATIC PROTEST

Diplomatic Protest
US warning over sodomy allegation against Anwar prompts KL to send note

KUALA LUMPUR:

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday asked Wisma Putra to send a protest note to Washington following the warning issued by the United States (US) to Malaysia concerning the allegation of sodomy against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Describing the warning as interference in the affairs of the country, the Prime Minister said Malaysia had its own Government, laws and enforcement and knew what needed to be done with regard to the case. “It is a statement which tries to interfere in our country... we will certainly ensure that any investigation will be carried out properly, fairly and without cruelty to anyone. “That is certainly our objective and practice,” he told reporters after a 45-minute meeting with PKR President, who is also Anwar’s wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and daughter Nurul Izzah at his office at Parliament House, here. Abdullah said this when asked to comment on the statement by US State Department spokesman, Tom Casey, on Monday that the US was against the investigation or charge against Anwar, which it described as politically motivated. The Prime Minister said such a statement reflected that the US was prejudiced against Malaysia, including the legal system and its enforcement. Abdullah also said that it was not proper for the US to issue such a statement. Meanwhile in MELAKA, Umno Vice-President Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam reminded the United States (US) against interfering in the internal affairs of Malaysia pertaining to the sodomy allegedly committed by Anwar. Mohd Ali, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, said the US cannot interfere in the affairs of Malaysia which is an independent and sovereign nation. “We (Malaysia) are an independent, free and democratic country, we are not a colony of the United States, so there is no reason for them to give us an ultimatum,” he told reporters after a function, here yesterday. Anwar’s former aide had lodged a police report on Saturday, alleging that he was sodomised by the former Deputy Prime Minister in a condominium in Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. Anwar had denied the allegation by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, and had filed a suit against the man. - Bernama