NEWS RELEASES
CANADA DEEPLY REGRETS SEVERITY OF ANWAR SENTENCE
April 14, 1999 (4:50 p.m. EDT) No. 81
CANADA DEEPLY REGRETS SEVERITY OF ANWAR SENTENCE
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today said that he deeply regretted the severity of the sentence handed
down to Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and noted that several
aspects of his trial and related events raised concerns about its fairness. Anwar was convicted today of four
charges of committing corrupt practices, and was sentenced to a prison term of six years.
"Anwar was initially detained under Malaysia's Internal Security Act without access to legal counsel, thereby unduly
restricting his ability to defend himself in court when charges were subsequently laid against him," said Mr.
Axworthy. "Public comments on Anwar's guilt before the trial also undermined his ability to receive a free and fair
trial."
"Moreover, during the trial, the defence was precluded from presenting its case in full," said Minister Axworthy. "We
understand that Anwar will be appealing his conviction. We hope that the appeal will be dealt with fairly and
expeditiously and that it will take full account of the concerns that have been raised regarding the trial. We are
disappointed that Anwar will not be granted bail pending the outcome of the appeal."
Anwar Ibrahim was arrested on September 20, 1998, after leading an anti-government demonstration in Kuala
Lumpur. He was badly beaten while in police custody. Malaysia's Inspector General of Police subsequently
resigned and admitted responsibility for the assault.
"The Malaysian government established a Commission of Inquiry into Anwar's beating which, we are pleased to
note, conducted its hearings in an open and transparent manner," said Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond
Chan. "We urge the Malaysian government to take appropriate legal action, which should result from the
Commission's findings. This would help restore confidence in the right of Malaysian citizens to fair and impartial
treatment under the law."
Referring to reports of demonstrations taking place in Kuala Lumpur after the verdict was announced, Mr. Axworthy
called on the Malaysian authorities to respect the right of
Malaysians to peaceful assembly and expressed hope that both demonstrators and police would avoid violence.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Naseem Nuraney
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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