Mahathir fears people’s wrath: Anwar

The statement was circulated by Anwar’s wife, Azizah Ismail, last night. It was the first such statement issued since his arrest. Anwar, 51, was taken into custody under the ISA on September 20 after he organized mammoth rallies against the government. After 24 days in detention under the ISA, he was shifted to a regular jail cell where he has been permitted access to his lawyers and family.

The act, which allows for indefinite imprisonment without trial, had restricted such access. The deposed deputy premier said PrimeMinister Mahathir’s government had acted to stem growing public sympathy for Anwar and ease pressure from abroad before Malaysia hosts a summit meeting next month of leaders from members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.“The plan was to get me out of ISA detention before APEC begins,” Anwar said in the statement.

Malaysia’s police chief, meanwhile, said more charges could be made against Anwar, the Star newspaper said today. Rahim Noor was quoted as saying that a probe into the activities of the dissident politician was going on. Anwar’s case drew international condemnation after he appeared in court with bruises and a black eye, and alleged he was a victim of police brutality.

Among those sympathetic to him were governments of several countries scheduled to attend the APEC summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The presidents of Indonesia and the Philippines have not yet confirmed their attendance. Malaysia says the economic forum should not be politicized. Within Malaysia, protests havecontinued over Anwar’s September 2 dismissal and his subsequent arrest.

Defying a police order, Anwar’s wife Azizah Ismail, joined thousands of protesters demanding Mahathir’s resignation. It was the first protest in which Azizah has participated since her husband was arrested last month after leading rallies against Mahathir’s rule. Police have warned her against getting involved in the reform campaign her husband began. Hundreds of people rushed to Azizah’s car shouting "reforms reforms" and “Mahathir resign”. She shook hands with some from inside her car. The couple’s 18-year-old daughter, Nurul Izzah, accompanied her.

Later, police beat protesters with canes to get them off the streets and witnesses said dozens of demonstrators were arrested. Police fired a water cannon to disperse the crowd of nearly 10,000 protesters who had marched to the palace of Malaysia’s constitutional monarch, demanding that Anwar be reinstated as the nation’s deputy prime minister.

Officers also used batons to pushaway demonstrators who blocked a highway near the palace for nearly 30 minutes. Witnesses saw police dragging several people away.

Nurul travelled out of Malaysia recently to meet presidents B J Habibie of Indonesia and Joseph Estrada of the Philippines. Both expressed support for her father.

Mahathir, 72, fired Anwar saying his former heir-apparent was morally unfit to rule. Anwar has denied the charges, saying they were fabricated to eliminate the challenge he had posed to Mahathir’s 17-year-rule. His trial begins on November 2.