Last edited: September 06, 2004


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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