Judicial Fairness in Malaysia

Following the protests by a US Senator and a group of Australian Member of Parliament over opposition party leader Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anita stressed that Malaysia has a fair judiciary system. He added that it was not appropriate for foreigners to interfere with a count case that is going on.
Minister Datuk Seri Anifah said this with reference to US Senator John Kerry's appeal that the Malaysian government should make sure Anwar Ibrahim could receive fair trial in the sodomy charge. The US Senator stressed that it was only under an un-interfered circumstances that the judiciary could effectively ensure judiciary fairness and impartiality.

Protecting Interest of All Parties
The Senator said: "In order for a court case to uphold the spirit of law as well as protecting the interest of all parties involved, the best solution is to avoid any unrelated government officials and any outsiders trying to disturb and interfere with a count case that is stilling going on."
In a statement, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said that Malaysia was committed to upholding the rule of law, and that Malaysia's judiciary was operated according to the standards of any fully developed country. He said: "Our system honors and respects the independence of our courts to find facts and to apply the law impartially." All citizens should avoid seeking to inflame or prejudice the outcome of any legal proceeding public servants in particular have the obligation to avoid politicizing any trial."

External Pressures
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah added that in a case involving a prominent person such as Anwar Ibrahim, it was important that external pressures be avoided so that each party had the opportunity to present its case to an impartial and unbiased judge."
"Our system has the obligation to proceed with this trial, not because the accused is a prominent political figure, but because it has the responsibility to protect all Ma­­laysians under the law, to seek justice and to avoid any form of prejudice regarding any of the parties involved in a trial," he added.
On 17 February, John Kerry, who is chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had come out with a statement to express his concern about Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial. He urged Malaysian Government especially Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib to ensure a fair and equitable resolution of the legal proceedings currently underway against Anwar Ibrahim.