Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (picture) today called the opposition confused for asking for an emergency Parliamentary meeting to discuss the Sodomy II charges against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“This is not right and it came from someone who understands Parliamentary matters,” Muhyiddin told reporters.
“How can Kit Siang asked the legislative to interfere with the judiciary, I can see that the opposition are now confused,” he added.
On Wednesday DAP’s Lim Kit Siang had called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to convene an emergency Parliamentary meeting on the sodomy in response to the demand made by the Australian Parliament’s foreign affairs sub-committee for the charges to be dropped.
The demand by the Australian MPs had resulted in a protest outside the Australian High Commission which was also attended by members of the Barisan Nasional (BN) back benchers.
“Members of Parliament must understand the role of MPs and the duties of judges,” said Muhyiddin.
On the request by the US Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relation, for Anwar to be given a fair trial, Muhyiddin said the statement is “strange” and it goes against the doctrine of separation of powers.
“The court process has started so it is strange for another democratic country to ask the executive to interfere in the judiciary,” said Muhyiddin.
On Wedneday, the US Senate’s committee chairman John Kerry asked the government to settle Anwar’s “case in a manner that builds confidence in the impartiality and credibility of the Malaysian judicial system.”
“We want the international community, America, Australia and everybody else to respect the process, many people have been convicted and freed,” said Muhyiddin adding that Anwar is not treated differently from other accusers.
“And we are not saying Anwar is guilty, the court will decide, so why make accusation as if Anwar has been treated unjustly, while others can give their views, we have our right to defend our judicial system,” he added.
Muhyiddin also said that the government cannot bow to such pressure as it only shows Malaysia’s weakness.
Anwar who is facing his second sodomy charge since 1998 appeared to have successfully convinced the international community that the accusation was politically motivated and an attempt to stop the federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) from taking over the government.
Najib had previously said that the government will brief the Australian MPs who demanded the sodomy charge to be dropped.
news courtesy of Malaysian Insider
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