Malaysia's reputation at risk as new sodomy trial looms
The sense of deja vu over Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's second sodomy trial, which begins tomorrow, is undeniable.
Once again, Anwar's political future is on the line as lurid accusations go before the courts. Once again, Malaysia's international reputation is at risk of a battering.
'I have grave concerns on this because Anwar did not get a fair trial in 1999. He was politically persecuted then and this time too political persecution is behind the new charge,' said prominent lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan, a former chairman of the Malaysian Bar Council.
'He would not have been charged if he is not Anwar Ibrahim. We fear the nation cannot take another bout of a trial that would divide the nation.
'Internationally the image of our nation and our judiciary would be ruined again.'
Anwar was seemingly consigned to political history when he was jailed for supposedly sodomising his speech writer and a driver at his first trial a decade ago, after a trial in which a stained mattress was paraded before the court.
But the case was trumped up and the charges dismissed on appeal, although a separate corruption conviction was allowed to stand.
Now, amid an extraordinary political comeback which had seen him tipped to unseat the government and become prime minister in 2011, Anwar has been charged with sodomising former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, on June 26 last year.
Anwar has pleaded not guilty and after numerous pre-trial hearings the trial proper starts tomorrow.
The prosecution says it will produce 23 witnesses, CCTV recordings and DNA test results, while Anwar is offering a 'strong alibi' in his defence. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail.
Anwar's supporters are predictably outraged at the new prosecution, which they say is part of a government conspiracy.
'The court should not be used to settle political scores,' said Tian Chua, a leader of Anwar's Keadilan party.
The first trial sparked widespread demonstrations and the government of then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad used security laws to arrest political opponents.
Dr Mahathir suffered a massive voter backlash in the 1999 election but managed to cling on to power.
'This time we expect a bigger backlash if the trial proceeds and Anwar is found guilty,' said James Chin, political science professor at Monash University Malaysia.
'The majority of the people see the new trial as political persecution,' he said.
'Unlike before, the opposition now is very strong and better organised to handle potential fallout.'
Anwar himself told local media last month that he would not rule out the likelihood of widespread demonstrations. 'People get upset and react strongly when they see blatant persecution,' he said.
The government of Prime Minister Najib Razak rejects suggestions that Anwar is being persecuted. Judges were free to make their decisions based on the evidence before them, said law minister Nazri Aziz.
The Bar Council is keeping an open mind about the trial, said council chairman Ragunath Kesavan.
'We will monitor the trial very closely and examine the evidence presented and the behaviour of all parties involved, including how the verdict is reached,' he said.
Politically, Anwar is preparing for the worst. He has taken two important measures to mitigate the impact if he is jailed.
He has brought his wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, out of semi-retirement to resume her role as the party's spokeswoman. She led his Keadilan party during Anwar's first trial and his subsequent six years of imprisonment.
He has also persuaded former government minister Zaid Ibrahim to join Keadilan as a senior leader.
The charismatic Mr Zaid is expected to hold the opposition coalition together in Anwar's absence.
