Anwar’s case raised in British Parliament

British Minister for Asia says he raised concerns with the Malaysian government over Anwar’s sodomy case, the country’s laws and its judiciary.

LONDON: The DAP, through the international alliance of progressive political parties, the Progressive Alliance, has raised Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction for sodomy in the British Parliament.

British Labour Party MP Kerry McCarthy raised the issue of Anwar’s imprisonment in the British House of Commons and was answered by British Minister for Asia Hugo Swire, DAP International Affairs Bureau executive secretary Howard Lee Chuan How said in a press statement today.

Lee, who is also Pasir Pinji state asssemblyman, said the DAP would continue to work closely with the Labour Party, and other members of the Progressive Alliance to highlight Anwar’s plight.

In the House of Commons, McCarthy asked Swire the number of representations he had made to the Malaysian government regarding the imprisonment of Anwar and Malaysia’s laws on sodomy and sedition.

Swire replied he had already made a statement on February 10, the day of the judgment, to express his deep concern at the Malaysian Federal Court’s decision to uphold Anwar’s conviction for sodomy.

He said he had also previously raised concerns about the case on December 4 when he met the Malaysian High Commissioner.

He added that the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond also raised this issue when he met Malaysia’s Foreign Minister on December 9.

Swire said the High Commission in Malaysia had discussed the matter with Malaysian ministers and officials on several occasions and officials from the High Commission in Kuala Lumpur observed the trial alongside other local diplomatic missions.

He said he had also raised questions about the independence of the judiciary and rule of law in Malaysia.

“As such, we have consistently raised concerns with the Malaysian government,” he added.