"Laman Reformasi Anti Kezaliman"
Malaysian opposition slams appointment of Anwar's prosecutor as judge
Ihsan by: FAC
 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (AFP) - A Malaysian opposition leader bitterly criticised Friday the appointment as a federal court judge of the official who headed the controversial prosecution o ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Lim Kit Siang, chairman of the Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party (DAP) described the selection of Mohtar Abdullah as "most inappropriate and unsuitable."

 Mohtar, who retired as attorney-general last month, was sworn in Tuesday.

The conduct of the prosecution against Anwar, who was sacked as deputy premier in September 1998 and subsequently jailed for abusing his official powers and sodomy, sparked strong criticism overseas.

Lim said it had been under Mohtar's leadership in the past seven years that the justice system had suffered its worst erosion of public confidence in its independence, impartiality and integrity.

"The national and international standing of the system of justice fell so precipitately in the past few years that Malaysia was ranked as amongst the five countries with the worst legal system in Asia," he
said.

Lim expressed fears that Mohtar could lead "the forces of counter-reformation," with grave consequences for Malaysia's system of justice and international competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Mohtar, 56, is the youngest person to be appointed a federal court judge.

Anwar is serving a total of 15 years in jail after being convicted in separate trials of abusing his official powers and of sodomy.

Anwar says his former mentor, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, orchestrated a conspiracy to frame him because he was seen as a political threat. The government denies any plot.