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Why Anwar Ibrahim?

 

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Image Source: Reuters – Samsul SAID – Angry Malaysian Protesters outside the court

The Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trials have been plagued with controversy ever since they first surfaced in the Malaysian political scene. Why did they even happen? Well here is some background information.

Naturally charismatic, Anwar Ibrahim was a fast rising star in the UMNO party. UMNO are the longest continuing ruling party in the world and they have basically run Malaysia unchallenged since 1957. Until now of course. With the internet giving people access to unmoderated news and information, people are now more educated and their views have changed.

Anwar was so capable that he quickly rose to the role of Deputy Prime Minister under Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad from 1993 to 1998. However, they had a “power struggle” and subsequent falling out. And in 1999, just a year after he served as Deputy Prime Minister, he was jailed for “Abuse of Power” which sparked huge street protests. People could not believe the miraculous fall from power, which seemed politically motivated.

Then in 2000, he was found guilty of sodomy with his wife’s driver. And that’s when all these sodomy charges started.

So there are basically two camps in Malaysia. The ones who believe in the Malaysian government and the justice system and how there is absolutely no foul play involved. That it just happens to be a coincidence that the top opposition party leader changed his sexual orientation despite being a married man and starting sodomising random people.

Then there is the other camp who believe in Anwar’s innocence. Anwar himself has claimed that the charges were part of a political smear campaign from the start, to discredit and remove him as a threat in the election. And most international observers are on his side.

Political leaders from the United States, Australia, and other world governments have spoken out about the case and how it has damaged Malaysia’s reputation as a progressive, Islamic democracy. Then there is also Amnesty International and other human rights groups that condemn the charges against Anwar.

Anyway, we are just presenting the facts, you can choose for yourself which camp to be in.

 

Why the sodomy trial all of a sudden?

 

On 7th March 2014 Anwar’s acquittal on sodomy charges was overturned and he was sentenced to five years in jail. The timing is a bit strange isn’t it? Since he was acquitted in high court of the sodomy charges in 2012. I did not realise the decision can just be reversed all of a sudden like that.

Here are a few important bits of information. 

In 2013, Anwar led the opposition movement to increasingly strong performances in both the 2008 and 2013 elections. The Barisan Nasional coalition had a scare and their worst ever result. They won just 133 of the 222 seats in parliament in the 2013 elections.

This reversal of the verdict comes in just as Anwar was about to contest a by-election on the 23rd this month in the central state of Selangor. Winning this election would be key as it surrounds the capital Kuala Lumpur and Anwar was widely tipped to win and subsequently become leader of Malaysia’s richest state.

But of course, this conviction disqualifies him from contesting. Being 66 years old, this jail term will effectively end his career.

After the verdict was announced, Anwar said to the panel: “It is a travesty of justice. I would have thought you would have some courage.” 

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia head of group Human Rights Watch said “This trial was all about knocking Anwar Ibrahim out of politics and the government was prepared to do whatever it took to make that happen… It’s truly a dark day for the Malaysia judiciary which has shown itself incapable of standing up straight when national political issues are in play in cases before them.“

 

Timeline of the Anwar Sodomy Trials

 

1998 – Anwar is fired from Cabinet after police report that he was under investigation after a book entitled 50 Dalil Kenapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi PM (50 Reasons Why Anwar Cannot Become Prime Minister) makes its rounds in the UMNO General Assembly accusing Anwar of corruption. He later appears in court pleading not guilty to charges of corruption and sodomy. 

2000 – Anwar was sentenced to another eight years in prison for sodomy.

2001 – Anwar’s corruption conviction was upheld.

2002 – Anwar lost another appeal over his corruption conviction.  

2004 – The court overturned his sodomy conviction.

2008 – Anwar’s male aide went to the police over claims that he had been sodomised by Anwar. Anwar filed a lawsuit against his aide. Trial began in 2010.

2012 – The judge pronounced Anwar not guilty of sodomy charges after evidence provided by the prosecution was found to be inconsequential.

2013, 7th March – The Malaysian Court has overturned Anwar’s acquittal on sodomy charges following a government appeal.

 

Reactions on Social Media

 

Anwar on his social media

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Every day Malaysians netizens are also voicing their dismay.

Some sympathise with Anwar’s wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Yahoo! Malaysia writer Marc Lourdes provides fresh perspective:

Conversely, in the other camp we have those who believe the courts

 

What do you believe?

 

What’s your opinion on the matter? What do you think is going to happen next?

Needless to say, these trials have brought a lot of attention to the Malaysian political scene, both positive and negative. All that there’s left to do is to sit back and watch as this story unravels. 

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