Daughter of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim arrested for sedition

The eldest daughter of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday she had been arrested for sedition after reading out in parliament parts of a speech by her father criticising his recent jailing.

Nurul Izzah, 34, a member of parliament and popular public figure, confirmed her arrest by phone to AFP while in custody.

Nurul became the latest nabbed in a sedition crackdown by Malaysia’s government that has seen dozens investigated, charged, or convicted over the past year, including several top opposition politicians.

“I am extremely angry, and we all should be, because as parliament members we should be free to criticise the government of the day without reprisal,” said Nurul, who also has led recent street rallies against Anwar’s conviction.

Anwar was convicted on February 10 of sodomising a former male aide in 2008 and sentenced to five years in jail.

Anwar, who denies the charge, calls it a “political conspiracy” by the coalition in power since 1957, designed to thwart steady opposition gains in recent elections.