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Thursday, 18 February 2010

No protest against US, says KJ

By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian Insider

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 17 — Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today hinted that the movement will not protest against the United States over its Senate’s call for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be given a fair trial.

“I have to study the statement made by Senator John Kerry because there is a big difference. If you say you want a fair trial, and what the 50 Australian MPs that want the charges to be dropped and the insinuation that the charges were politically motivated, that is two different things,” said Khairy (picture) referring to the demand by the Australian parliamentary Sub-committee on Foreign Relations for Anwar’s sodomy charge be dropped.

Earlier today Kerry, who is the US Senate Chairman of Foreign Relation Committee, called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to ensure a fair and free trial for Anwar and “to settle his case in a manner that builds confidence in the impartiality and credibility of the Malaysian judicial system.”

Khairy said Kerry’s call for a fair resolution of the trial reflects the wishes of the Malaysian public too.

The Rembau MP was speaking after a two-hour meeting with Najib which was also attended by all members of the Umno Youth executive committee.

On the protest against the Australian lawmakers today, Khairy said he had also briefed the Prime Minister on the matter.

“He was also satisfied that we presented a protest note to the Australian High Commission,” he said.

“I explained that the protest note was not against the Australian government or the Australian people, but against the 50 MPs,” added Khairy.

The protest this morning was also attended by members of the Malay nationalist group Perkasa and the Barisan Nasional back-benchers.

Some 300 people took part in the process a total of three memoranda were submitted to the Australian High Commission.

Najib had previously said that the government will explain the charges brought against Anwar to Australian lawmakers.

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