IPU Observes Appeal Hearing of Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim

An IPU observer will monitor appeal proceedings for Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. ©Reuters/Zainal Abd Halim

IPU will be observing the appeal proceedings for Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on sodomy charges on 17-18 September.

The Malaysian MP has already been acquitted once on such a charge and is defending an appeal lodged by the Attorney General for him to be charged a second time.

IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians which works to defend and promote the rights of MPs, has been following several cases against Anwar Ibrahim over the years and has repeatedly expressed concern over the series of charges brought against him.

The presence of IPU observer and Australian QC Mark Trowell at Anwar Ibrahim’s appeal hearing follows another trial observation in Malaysia. In mid-July, IPU observed the latest trial hearings of Karpal Singh, MP and Chairman of the Democratic Action Party. He faces charges under the Sedition Act for allegedly uttering seditious words against a Malaysian Sultan in 2009. His case was at first dismissed by the High Court, but the decision was reversed by the Malaysian Court of Appeal.

IPU considers it would be in the public interest to discontinue Singh’s prosecution.

Reports from both hearings will be submitted to the IPU Committee on Human Rights for follow-up.