Australia defends its relationship with scandal-tainted former Malaysian premier Najib Razak
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Canberra in the past had simply worked with the government of Malaysia of the day
Australia’s foreign minister on Wednesday defended her country’s ties with Malaysia’s former graft-ridden government after Canberra was accused of being complicit in alleged corruption by harbouring a fugitive.
Political heavyweight Anwar Ibrahim, who was imprisoned under Prime Minister Najib Razak until his shock defeat in May elections, has slammed Canberra’s “tainted” policy towards the former government.
Anwar cited the case of a policeman, now in Australian custody, who fled Malaysia in 2015 after being sentenced to hang for the killing of a Mongolian woman linked to a bribery scandal involving Najib’s government.
Anwar, who was released from jail after Najib’s defeat and is now presumptive successor to 93-year-old Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, has called for the policeman to be sent home to face a new trial.
During a visit to Malaysia, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia had not received an extradition request for the officer, Sirul Azhar Umar.
Asked about Anwar’s comments, she said Canberra in the past had simply worked with the government of Malaysia of the day.