A Kuala Lumpur court today acquitted Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of consensual sodomy. “Anwar Ibrahim was acquitted on a charge that should have never been brought in the first place,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. Continue reading »
What is puzzling is the Anwar trial judge’s refusal to recuse himself from the trial. As long as a bias is perceived by the accused that alone should disqualify him in the interest of justice, writes P Ramakrishnan. Continue reading »
Government prosecutors in the trial of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim should turn over their evidence to the defence before hearings resume in order to comply with fair trial requirements, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.
Anwar can forget about getting justice from the Malaysian judicial system. Rules can be bent, rules can be ignored, rules can be overlooked when it involves Anwar. This is what the man in the street is saying.
Judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah did not disappoint discerning Malaysians. They did not expect him to rule otherwise. They expected him not to recuse himself.
Looking at the recent controversies in Malaysia, Soon Chuan Yean wonders whether he should toss out his political science training and contemplate the possibility of a grand conspiracy theory.
Whatever happens to Anwar, Malaysians will continue to demand greater democracy, accountability and socio-economic justice to ensure that the momentum towards change is not derailed, writes Anil Netto.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is facing trial for a second time accused of sodomising a male aide. Anwar has accused Prime Minister Najib Razak of trying to frame him to kill off his political career allegations Najib has denied.
The attempt by the Umno-dominated BN government to rush the DNA Bill begs many questions, observes Tota. Despite opposition by the Opposition, whose ranks boast first-class legal brains compared to the lawyers in the government ranks, the Bar Council and legal and medical experts outside, the government exposes itself as a irrational and foolhardy one. No right-thinking Malaysian will buy the government’s claim that the timing of the Bill had nothing to do with Anwar’s Sodomy II trial.
As Anwar faces a fresh charge of sodomy, Tommy Thomas discusses the implications of the second prosecution of Anwar Ibrahim.
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