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Date: 14 Aug 1999
Time: 00:45:32
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Malaysia's Anwar under attack for keeping 'secret' documents abroad

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (AFP) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has accused his ousted deputy Anwar Ibrahim of stealing classified government documents and keeping them overseas, a report said Saturday.

"He cheated the government ... by stealing documents belonging to it," Mahathir was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.

He said the action was against the Official Secrets Act, but if legal action was taken against Anwar and his supporters "they will get the support of the foreign media to slam the government."

Mohamad Ezam Mohamad Nor, Anwar's former political secretary, revealed on Wednesday that Anwar had taken overseas at least six boxes containing government documents.

Ezam, who is also the youth chief of Anwar's National Justice party, said the documents would be released one be one to the people.

Mahathir said Ezam's admission showed Anwar had conspired to topple the government.

"I say this because when he (Anwar) was sacked, the police were with him in the office to make sure that he only took his personal belongings," he said.

Education Minister Najib Tun Razak described Anwar's action as unethical.

"Anwar has gone beyond the line of removing classified documents from his office and stashing (them) in another country," he said.

Abdul Ghani Othman, chief minister of the southern state of Johor said Anwar's action was dangerous as foreign elements could use the documents against the government.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar called for the documents to be returned and said Anwar should face the consequence.

Hiding government documents abroad showed Anwar had planned a conspiracy to control the country, he said.

But opposition leader Lim Kit Siang hailed Anwar's action if to revealed corruption within Mahathir's government.

"Anwar is doing the people and the country a national service if he can secure and reveal proof of corruption in government.

"The prime minister should give an assurance that neither Anwar nor anyone else will be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act or any other law of the land for exposing corruption, malpractices and abuse of power in the government," he said in a statement.

Lim, who is also the secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party said a clean government should accord recognition to the important function of "whistle-blowers."

Anwar, once Mahathir's heir apparent, was dismissed last September. In April he received a six-year jail sentence for corruption, and he was returned to the dock in June to face a new charge of sodomy.

Last month, he lodged police reports of corruption against Mahathir and against two senior cabinet minister.

Mahathir had said he expected Anwar to file "many more reports" with police alleging wrongdoings by himself and other ministers, in an attempt to prolong the sodomy trial until after the elections.

General elections are due to be held next June but Mahathir is widely expected to call a snap poll amid signs of economic recovery.


Last changed: August 14, 1999