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Saturday, 08-May-2004 11:30 AM Uphold justice in Malaysia! Justice for Anwar Ibrahim! Uphold democracy and freedom for the people of Malaysia! Open Statement to Prime Minister Abdulah Badawi of Malaysia By the Asian Students Association Hong Kong We in the Asian Students Association, comprised of 54 national student movements from 31 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, express concern with the case of the former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister; Anwar Ibrahim who will appear in the Federal Court for his final appeal against a charge of sodomy on May 10. As a regional youth and student organization, we always keep an eye on the issue of judiciary independence in Malaysia and other countries as well. Malaysian government has destroyed the judiciary independence under the dictatorship of the former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed. Several protests and demonstrations took place in the past to show the people of the world our concerns. However, even the new Prime Minister, Abdulah Badawi, has not given any positive response, or any response, at all. We are very much concerned about Anwar’s health situation ruined by series of rejected appeals for access to decent medical treatment. He has been held in solitary confinement since his detention in 1998. His current back-bone illness was caused by the inhuman assault of the former Inspector-General of Police. We believe this case raises fundamental questions regarding the permission for Anwar to have the decent medical treatment and its compatibility with international human rights standards, to which the, the Malaysian government, as a member of the community of nations, should recognize, respect and adhere to. Besides, the appointment of the three judges who are relatively junior to hear the May 10 appeal doubt the people of the world again. Instead of the full bench hearing requested by the defense lawyer, the important final appeal will be heard by all three who were only appointed as Federal Court Judges for less than a year. The competence of Abdul Hamid Mohamad, Tengku Baharuddin and Rahma Hussein is arguable and remains in question as the selection of judges has been highly politicized. The verdict of the appeal court towards Anwar on Monday, May 10, will show the Malaysian government’s attitude and treatment of its political prisoners. The previous court under the Mahathir regime was riddled with corruption, nepotism and repression. Abdulah Badawi, who is so promising in his reform agenda, needs to reform the judiciary in order to give justice for Anwar. We strongly urge the Malaysian government to immediately stop the intervention in the judiciary system and give justice to Anwar. If Abdulah committed to his own reform agenda, he needs to beware of all his political intervention and instruction in the judiciary system. We remain in solidarity with Anwar Ibrahim in his struggle for justice as well as the people of Malaysia who call upon the government to set Anwar Ibrahim free. Free Anwar Now! Justice for Anwar Now! The People United, Will Never Defeated! Lee Khai Loon, Rey Asis & Madhav Nepal Regional Secretariat Member 2002-2005
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