EX-DPM'S SODOMY CASE: M'SIA WILL NOT BOW TO PRESSURE

SUNGAI SIPUT, Malaysia, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin Thursday stressed that Malaysia would not bow to pressure from any
quarters, including foreign countries, over the sodomy case involving opposition
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People's Justice Party) advisor Anwar Ibrahim.

He said such interference was a futile exercise and also showed that Anwar was
desperate that he had resorted to using a "lifeline" by collaborating with his
foreign friends to serve his own interest.

"It's a futile attempt, as no quarters in Malaysia will bow to the calls (for
Anwar to be freed from the sodomy charge). As a former deputy prime minister,
Anwar should know better but the question is -- is he so desperate as to ask for
help from his American friends? The answer is clear now," he said after opening
the northern state of Perak Agrofest 2010 here, Thursday.

Muhyiddin was earlier asked by reporters on the statement by former United
States vice-president Al Gore and former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz
published in the Asian Wall Street Journal which called for the US government to
intervene in Anwar's sodomy case which is currently being heard before the Kuala
Lumpur High Court.

In the statement, besides describing Anwar as "possessing qualities that
encourage hope for the future", Gore and Wolfowitz said Malaysians should not be
deprived of the opportunity to decide on who they wish to lead them by an abuse
of judicial power.

They also urged their government "to make clear the importance the US attaches
to the role of the law in sustaining a political process in which justice and
freedom are natural allies".

Muhyiddin said such a call was inappropriate as Malaysia practised democracy and
had it owns laws and well-managed legal system, which Gore and Wolfowitz should
respect, like they did for their own country's laws and legal system.

"We obey our country's laws but while Anwar's case is still being heard in
court, I'm surprised why he's turning to outside help, as though he's so
desperate. Is it because he's not capable of standing up for himself or feels
that he has a weak case?. I don't wish to be prejudiced as the case is still
before the court," he said.

Muhyiddin said Anwar should know that no foreign power could interfere in
Malaysia's legal system.
-- BERNAMA



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