Washington, Feb 11 – The White House issued a Statement yesterday on Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction stating that the US government is deeply disappointed.
The following is the full text of the press statement released by NSC (National Security Council) Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on Conviction of Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim:-
The United States is deeply disappointed with Mr. Anwar’s conviction following a government appeal of the original verdict finding him not guilty. The decision to prosecute Mr. Anwar and the conduct of his trial have raised a number of serious concerns about rule of law and the fairness of the judicial system in Malaysia. These concerns are compounded by the government’s intent to expand its sedition law, which Prime Minister Najib had pledged to repeal, to prosecute government critics.
When National Security Advisor Susan Rice met with Malaysian opposition leaders in April 2014, she reiterated the President’s message that countries who uphold the human rights of all their citizens — regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity, race, religion or sexual orientation — are ultimately more prosperous and more stable. The United States and Malaysia have built a strong “comprehensive partnership,” and we remain committed to expanding our cooperation on shared economic and security challenges affecting our countries’ interests in Asia and globally.
In that context, we urge the Government of Malaysia to apply the rule of law fairly, transparently, and apolitically in order to promote confidence in Malaysia’s democracy, judiciary, and economy.
Australian government also disappointed
The Australian government has also issued a statement yesterday on Anwar’s trial and conviction;
The following is the press release issued by the office of Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (pic) on Anwar’s conviction:-
Australia is disappointed by the decision of the Malaysian Federal Court to dismiss Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s final appeal against the charge of sodomy, which was handed down today.
We are deeply concerned by the severity of the sentence and we have made our concerns known to the Malaysian Government.
Australia has welcomed Prime Minister Najib’s recent messages about moderation and tolerance.
As a friend of Malaysia, Australia encourages the Malaysian Government to consider the impact of recent decisions, including the Anwar verdict and the retention of the Sedition Act, on its international standing and its commitment to human rights.
