Friday 25 July 2008

Rice urges “transparency” in sodomy probe - Malaysiakini

US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice Thursday urged Malaysia to ensure a “:transparent” investigation into sex misconduct allegations against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. – Malaysiakini.

She also rejected Malaysia's claim that the Anwar case is an internal affair.

"The United States has long spoken and will continue to speak up about cases that we think need to be thought about in terms of the political circumstances,'' said Rice, who is here (Singapore) to attend a regional security conference.

"We want to see transparency and for rule of law to be completely followed there,'' she told reporters just before going into the 27-nation meeting. "We are always going to speak up on human rights cases, political cases, but we do so in a spirit of respect for Malaysia.'' (Read here, here and here )

Here’s our Foreign Minister's reply:

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia's legal procedures "are an internal matter and hence, other countries must respect our actions taken in accordance with our own laws."

Rais said he had briefed US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Malaysia's laws and the legal procedures pertaining to Anwar's case.

Rais said he also referred to Rice his letter sent to her early this month, expressing Kuala Lumpur's disappointment over the statement made by a US Department of State official on the sodomy allegation against Anwar, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor and former deputy prime minister.

He said Malaysia had refuted spokesman Tom Casey's allegation that it was practising a system that came out of political pressure, which resulted in criminal action against Anwar. (click here)

(The government has earlier this month accused the U.S. of meddling the country’s affairs when Tom Casey made similar comments on Anwar's case. The latest comment by Rice is not going to help Anwar in any way. He has already been branded a snitch - an agent of the US. Going to be a rough ride for Anwar.)

12 comments:

conscience said...

The Secretary of State Rice's comments were most timely and welcome. It is about time, this dishonest Umno led govt be told off.

Nostradamus said...

Justifications to Answers on Jeyklls and Hydes Question 17.
Justifikasi kepada Jawapan atas Soalan 17 Jeykll dan Hyde.

17. The next PM of Malaysia will follow R.A.H.M.A.N theory. (Fact).
17. Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang berikutnya akan mengikuti teori R.A.H.M.A.N (Fakta).

Quatrain 17

In the month of summer games
When leaders are chosen and thrown away
Man starts to think again
Power, Gold and Glory to gain

Problems to glory are but hindrances
To be solve is such a simple game
Sleeping partner is to be cast away
Expendable are those as such before

http://Patek1472.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Hi conscience.

I agree that there must be transparency in the probe and what Rice said is what we have been asking of the Government.

But coming from Rice the US), that is) makes me feel very uneasy because it gives credence to the allegation that Anwar is a US informer and a wrong perception of the PKR de facto leader. (am not saying tthat he is)

I dont think Anwar needs that kind of support from the one and Only superpower of the world.

Betcha, his political enemies, especially in Umno, are going to cash on this and discredit him.

conscience said...

Anonymous, your response to my comments, appreciated.
Please bear in mind the voices of the rakyat have been subdued by this govt for all these years, MSM being the govt mouthpiece have not been much of a help. I am aware, that the Umno led govt will capitalize on this issue. Most countries are already familiar with the unfairness in the judiciary, non-transparency in the activities of this country. Rice is just confirming a fact and let this Almighty Umno politicians know the world is watching.
Perhaps, you could enlighten me, which other way we can translate our grievances to this corrupted govt, except voting them out!
I rest my case, let's agree to disagree, I hope, we both, believe in pure democracy.

Anonymous said...

I find it foolish for Malaysian to sanction meddling with the afair of Malaysians, whatever the circumstances.

I would urger that they be more tarnsparent with their Guatanamo Bay prisoners or the massacre of thousand Iraqis

Anonymous said...

there must and have to be transparency not just in Anwar's case but all cases in Malysia.

but it's uncomfortable to know that US is trying to interfere in our business because history has shown the damage done by the States if they meddle in other people's business (read:Vietnam,Iraq).

but the good side is that the world is watching closely and take notice of what happens in our country.

Anonymous said...

We would regularly come across, in the comment section of the blogs, several comments making claim that the voice of Malaysian has been severely suppressed. I believe this comments come from a group of similar individual,who have been using different identification, disillusioned, delusional or those wanting to turn the countries into chaos.

While a percentage of the population might agree, the large majority think otherwise.

Personally, I have been a living in Malaysia for years, definitely, not all our views and voice are heard, but I don't think that you can call it severe oppression, reaching a level that would warrant change of government via unpeacefull method. What I can see, is Malaysia is becoming more and more democratic. I believe in democratisation via check and balance, educated politics not the backward strategy via protest, demo and accusations meant to bring chaos to the country.

Those who solicited with foreign agency to topple the government should be labelled as traitor of the lowest kind, no matter the intention.

Not that I supported the government whole heartedly; certainly there are still a lot to be desired. Unfortunately I disagree with Anwar/PKR, whom I belive is either paranoid or intentionally making allegations to trigger chaos. Knowingly or unknowingly with the help of foreign agency that keep on designing events.

Anonymous said...

True. Anwar is now obviously a puppet of the US.

US has always talk about the human rights? Yeah right. How about the invasion in Iraq? That is so human right. Huh!!

Why only US meddle with Anwar's case only? This is proving that he is puppet of the US. I guess it would not be a suprise if suddenly the US marines would descend on KL to whisk Anwar out of the clutches of Malaysian Law. Worse still the US will stay back to colonise our country and drain our petroleum by installing as the puppet prime minister.


Although I believe in another part of perspective that transparent investigation should be done on Anwar's case.

Anonymous said...

Rice, the US and other (ir)relevant international paries, stop meddling with our affairs. Who the hell you all think you are, we can handle our own issues!

And who the hek is Anwar gaining so much international media attentions? For the wrong reasons at that! Rooting for the underdog is it...??

Anonymous said...

US patut berhenti menyibuk dengan hal dalaman negara orang lain. Malaysia mempunyai sistem perundangannya sendiri dan sepatutnya US menghormati semua ni. Sedangkan mereka sendiri tidak betul, ingin memperbetul orang lain pula. Anwar ni memang tidak boleh dipercayai, ini menunjukkan sebenarnya dia memang mempunyai kaitan dengan US, orang macam ni nak jadi PM? Mintak jauhlah..

Anonymous said...

Kak Ton,
Several years ago, my sister was badly beaten by her husband. We as her brothers and sisters went to confront her husband and warned him never ever to do that again. We know well that if we do not stand up for her, nobody else would do that as Nobody would like to interfere with other's business.It is not rewarding and may backfire.
Rice has been those few people who stands up for someone whom she thinks has been mistreated.

Johnny Chiam

Anonymous said...

Kak Ton,
Several years ago, my sister was badly beaten by her husband. We as her brothers and sisters went to confront her husband and warned him never ever to do that again. We know well that if we do not stand up for her, nobody else would do that as Nobody would like to interfere with other's business.It is not rewarding and may backfire.
Rice has been that few people who speak up for someone whom she thinks has been mistreated.

Johnny Chiam