A fair trial huh?  Will see....

---

Nov 3, 1998
Source   :  The Times, UK
Comment   :  A fair trial huh?  Will see....
 
 

Warning given to rights groups, writes David Watts in Kuala Lumpur

EU protests as Anwar judge bars observers

 
  ANWAR IBRAHIM suffered a bruising start to his trial on corruption
charges yesterday as the judge ruled out the presence of foreign
observers and reversed each defence manoeuvre.

  "We raised lots of objections and lost every single one," said
Sulaiman Abdullah, a defence lawyer. "No doubt we will be losing other
things as well."

  The former Deputy Prime Minister admitted the first day's going was
  tough and accused the Attorney- General of unprofessional conduct for
  introducing further charges over the weekend.

  "How do you expect me to get a fair trial if the Attorney-General acts
in this manner?" he told journalists during a break in the proceedings.

  The European Union last night made diplomatic representations to the
  Malaysian Government after international organisations were refused
  observer status at the trial.

  As the judge ruled that international bodies would be given no special
treatment, Mr Anwar turned to the press and drew a finger across his
throat as if to indicate that lack of foreign monitoring would seal his
fate on four charges of corruption he faces.

  After the defence sought permission for the organisations to be
  represented, Judge Augustine Paul accused such groups as Human Rights
  Watch and Amnesty International of trying to interfere with the
judicial process and said their presence could compromise the
independence of the court. He also refused a local bar association
permission to hold a watching brief.

  "In the past dozen years I have attended trials in eight countries and
there's never been a time before where the judge suggested that it was
detrimental to human rights to have an observer present," said Wesley
Cryk, of Human Rights Watch. Representatives of the British, Australian
and Canadian High Commissions were unable to attend the morning session
and when a British diplomat returned in the afternoon he was refused
entry.

  Mr Anwar sat low in the dock. Often he turned to smile at his wife,
mother and eldest daughter. As the court went into recess for lunch he
said life in prison was good, "for prison life. At least they don't
harass me or beat me up".

  Topping the list of potential witnesses for the prosecution is Mr
Anwar's arch-enemy, Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamed, the Prime Minister.
The court has yet to rule on what could be a more crucial point for Mr
Anwar.
 
The charges are being brought under emergency powers introduced after
  race riots in 1969. These provisions are now being dismantled and the
  defence argues that the law under which he is charged is already no
longer valid.