MPs sign letter of support for Anwar
| 09 March 2010
Sixty Federal MPs have signed a letter urging the Malaysian government to drop sodomy charges against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, following a speech by Melbourne Ports member Michael Danby last month.
Anwar was first arrested on sodomy charges ten years ago and jailed for four years, until his conviction was overturned in 2004.
He is now on trial for the second time, following an election where his opposition party won 60 seats off the ruling party.
The MP’s letter states: “Many friendly observers of Malaysia find it difficult to believe that a leading opposition voice could be charged with sodomy a second time, and so soon after his party made major gains in national elections.”
Members of the House of Representatives and Senators from all parties signed the letter.
SA Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who signed the letter, told blaze it was the sort of measure one only saw when back-benchers took the initiative and crossed party lines to speak out on what was right.
Danby claimed in his parliamentary speech evidence against Anwar was being forged and fabricated.
“Perverting the legal system for political ends by charging Anwar with sexual offences is an affront to human rights,” Danby said.
In a demonstration by Malaysian government supporters outside the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, one protestor claimed “Michael Danby, who organized the petition, is a homosexual.”
Danby called the claim a “sad and pathetic” attempt to deflect Malaysian opinion.
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