The Australian Financial Review
10th August 2000
Anwar sentence shows no justice in Malaysia
SYDNEY - The conviction of former Malaysian deputy prime minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim on sodomy charges yesterday is a blatant travesty of justice that will diminish Malaysia's reputation around the world. But it is difficult to say what is most disappointing about the entire Anwar affair: the continued perversion of what was one of Asia's best judicial systems or the apparent waning of the public opposition to the action against Anwar.
Malaysia's British justice system was for a long time one of the country's strong points compared with most of its neighbours. But it has been under assault since Mahathir purged top judges in 1988. The apparent politicisation of the courts has increased in recent years, quite apart from the Anwar case, and there have been disturbing actions against lawyers who have been representing their clients in accordance with basic justice.
It takes a long time for this sort of erosion to be felt more broadly in a country - but even longer to repair the damage. Foreign investors have now received a graphic warning that they - like Anwar - cannot be certain to receive what would normally be considered fair treatment in the Malaysian courts.
Mahathir now likes to claim that many people accept the dismissal and charging of Anwar. That may be so, but it is also clear that the trial has created cynicism about the Malaysian government, and it has increased religious tensions and set back economic reform.
Mahathir's power was demonstrated during evidence in the Anwar court hearings, which means the real public mood about this issue may not be known until after he leaves office. That should be sooner rather than later, when a pardon should also restore Anwar to a role in Malaysia's political life.