Leaders Praise Independence Of Judiciary Over Court Verdict In Anwar's Case

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Several leaders have praised the independence of the judiciary in the wake of the High Court's acquittal and discharge today of People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat - PKR) advisor Anwar Ibrahim on a sodomy charge. Land and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said the court verdict proved that the judiciary is independent and there is no interference from the authorities. "Our courts are independent. We cannot question their decisions," he said after attending the monthly gathering of the ministry. The High Court Monday acquitted and discharged Anwar, 64, on a charge of sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 26, in 2008. Mohd Shafie said all quarters should ensure that peace and order prevailed in the country and should not resort to demonstrations or gatherings which can inconvenience the people and tarnish the country's image. In PASIR GUDANG, Johor, United Malays National Organisation (Umno) information chief Ahmad Maslan said the court decision dismissed allegations by the opposition that there is interference in the judiciary. He also said that there is nothing for Umno and the National Front (Barisan Nasional - BN) to regret over the court decision. "The case was between Anwar and Mohd Saiful, not between Anwar and Umno or the BN," he told reporters after launching the Eyes and Ears at Sea (EYES) maritime community programme between the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Johor Bunkering Services Association (J-Bunker) in Tanjung Langsat. In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman said the verdict proves that the Malaysian judiciary is independent. "The court has made its decision. The verdict proves that the Malaysian judiciary is independent and the Barisan Nasional government is transparent," he said. In KUANTAN, Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said he hoped that the opposition political parties would no longer accuse the courts of being unfair and not transparent. Dr Mohd Puad, who is an Umno Supreme Council member, said he hoped that no one would question the integrity of the judiciary any more. The United Malays National Organisation,(abbreviated as UMNO) is Malaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the National Front coalition, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence. -- BERNAMA