[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 20 Aug 1999
Time: 20:45:55
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Malaysia's Anwar says he is not a traitor
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (AFP) - Malaysia's ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim on Friday said he is not a traitor for threatening to expose secrets documents allegedly showing government corruption.
"The real traitors are those who are cruel and exploit the country's wealth for the personal gains, family and cronies," he said in a police report against Premier Mahathir Mohamad and Attorner-general Mohtar Abdullah for obstructing the legal process.
This is Anwar's fourth police report in which he revealed details of a corruption allegedly commited by a former chief minister who is a member of Mahathir's ruling United Malays National Organisation.
Anwar, the country's most prominent political dissident, said these are the documents the members of the ruling elite are worried about.
"These documents relate to corruption and abuse of power, including cases which received 'protection' from Mahathir," he said in the police report released by his wife.
"But instead I am attacked by Mahathir and his deputy as being a traitor for keeping documents related to national security," he said.
Anwar described the "attacks" as being not fair as he is not being given a change to defend his allegations.
"This is Mahathir's justice -- to attack and slander and deny the accused a chance to defend himself," he said.
Anwar had said the "secret" documents he has related to corruption and abuse of power, adding "I do not keep related documents to national security."
Anwar has come under strong attack by Mahathir and UMNO members.
Mahathir loyalist Ibrahim Ali was quoted by the New Straits Times newspaper Monday as calling for the introduction of a Treason Act with the death sentence for those convicted under it.
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.