Appeal Set for Ousted Gay Official
The
Advocate, November 6, 2001
Malaysia’s highest court on Monday scheduled November
12 for the final appeal of ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim against his
conviction and six-year prison sentence for corruption. “Our client has got
a very strong case, and we are optimistic,” said Anwar’s attorney, Sankara
Nair. “We believe that Anwar should never have been charged in the first
place.” Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad fired Anwar in September 1998
because Anwar allegedly had engaged in homosexual acts. At the time, Malaysia
was mired in the Asian economic crisis, and the two men held different views
over how to resolve it. Anwar’s sacking sparked the southeast Asian
country’s biggest street demonstrations in decades. Several weeks after his
removal from office, Anwar was placed on trial for alleged abuse of power and
sexual misconduct. He was convicted of corruption in April 1999 for allegedly
using his position as Malaysia’s second in command to cover up his same-sex
trysts.
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