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Democrats support Anwar



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Democrats support Anwar
THAILAND'S leading Democrat MPs yesterday joined their counterparts in the
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (Cald) in voicing strong criticism
of Malaysia's treatment of sacked deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim and called
for a repeal of the harsh Internal Security Act (ISA.) 
Meeting in Bangkok, Cald urged the Malaysian government to ''repeal the
Internal Security Act and to institute an independent commission to inquire
into the allegations of assault on his person while in police custody in
order to severely punish all those responsible for such acts''. 
The statement was issued after a three day conference hosted by Prime
Minister Chuan Leekpai's Democrat Party. Also in the meeting were Foreign
Minister Surin Pitsuwan and his deputy, Sukhumbhand Paribatra. 
Cald said that it deplored the ''timing and the manner of the
investigation'' and expressed its ''deep concern for the use of legal
processes against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a manner that could undermine
the rule of law in Malaysia''. 
Raul Daza, chairman of the council and president of the Liberal Party in
the Philippines, said that the statement was particularly strong
considering the council operated by consensus. 
''We had a tough time hammering out something that was acceptable to all,
and the statement is stronger than I would have thought,'' said Daza. 
The Thai government has been diplomatic in reacting to the situation in
Malaysia, while Manila and Jakarta have been more aggressive, but
yesterday's developments underline the growing support for Anwar from
legislators of various countries. 
Released from detention under the ISA but still in jail pending his trial
next month, Anwar has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of corruption and
sodomy. His trial on four of the corruption charges is set for early next
month. 
The Thai Democrat Party, which is a full member of Cald, hosted the
conference and held the opening ceremony on Friday at its party
headquarters. The title of the conference was ''The Asian Crisis: Political
Response to the Problem''. 
Speakers and observers included members of democratic and liberal parties
from Taiwan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia and
the Parti Gerakan of Malaysia. 
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Kobsak Chutikul said that the statement
reflected the view of many independent political parties. 
''The statement does not necessarily reflect official government positions.
It does indicate that there is continued international concern about the
fate of Anwar,'' he told The Nation. 
Nevertheless in Tokyo last week Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
said that Anwar was now being treated well and that the Malaysian
government had said that it would not take offence at criticism except by
other governments. 
''The meetings are regular and similar to others being held around the
world. They reflect the opinions and feelings of the members of those
parties,'' Kobsak said. ''Therefore it should have an affect on official
relations.'' 
At least 14 Filipino lawmakers plan to attend the trial of jailed Malaysian
dissident Anwar next month and observe how Malaysian authorities are
treating him, one of them said in Manila yesterday. 
The group will include a son of former president Corazon Aquino, who along
with current Philippine President Joseph Estrada has openly expressed his
support for Anwar and his family. 
''We don't want to intervene in their processes, but we know that when
there are eyes watching, sufferings are somehow eased,'' said Heherson
Alvarez, a member of the Philippine House of Representatives. 
The Philippine lawmakers plan to start their visit on Nov 2, the day that
Anwar's trial starts, Alvarez told a Manila radio station. 
Alvarez said that they wanted the trip to remind Malaysian authorities
''that human societies have changed and that there is now considerable
concern for human rights in the world''. 
At least 14 legislators have agreed to join the trip, including Benigno
Aquino III, the son of the former Philippine president, and six Muslim
lawmakers, Alvarez said. 
Citing the Philippines' bitter experience under late dictator Ferdinand
Marcos, Alvarez urged Malaysia to consider repealing the harsh law that
allows the Malaysian government to arrest and detain people without
charges. He warned that Malaysia's recent actions could affect its trade
relations with other countries. 
Estrada and Indonesian president BJ Habibie have spoken against Anwar's
arrest and treatment and said that they are considering boycotting a summit
of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum leaders in Malaysia next
month. 
Last week Anwar's daughter visited the two leaders and other officials in
the Philippines and Indonesia to seek support for her father. 
On Friday a Philippine congressional committee passed a resolution
expressing concern for Anwar. The Committee on Foreign Affairs will send
the resolution to the House of Representatives today for approval. 
The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are members of Asean, and a rift
over Anwar could endanger harmony within the regional trade block as it
tries to work cohesively to overcome the region's year-old financial storm,
analysts say. 
Malaysia's top dailies hit out yesterday at Habibie and Estrada for their
criticism in the Anwar case. 
The Nation, Agencies