(4 Sep 1998) Malay/Eng/Nat
Malaysia's ousted deputy prime minister and finance minister Anwar Ibrahim said his supporters would back his fight for justice if he's arrested and put in detention without trial.
Anwar Ibrahim was stripped from his posts on Wednesday accused of sexual misconduct and leaking state secrets - allegations he denies.
The former deputy prime minister and finance minister addressed about 2-thousand of his supporters during Friday prayers at a local mosque in Kuala Lumpur.
Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's former deputy prime minister and finance minister, was mobbed by supporters as he made his way to a local mosque near his home in Kuala Lumpur.
The ousted 51 year old deputy prime minister and finance minister is accused of sexual trysts and of leaking state secrets.
But he denies the allegations.
He was sacked from his posts on Wednesday, after months of bitter differences in style and policy with his boss, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
He has also been dumped as vice president of the ruling United Malays party.
In an affidavit filed in the High Court on Wednesday, Malaysia's Inspector General of Police Rahim Noor said Anwar was under investigation for sexual misconduct detailed in a recent book.
Anwar lashed out at 72-year-old Mahathir, who has led the Southeast Asian nation for 17 years.
Speaking to some 2-thousand worshipers, Anwar said he would demand justice against the allegations made against him.
Anwar, widely regarded as Mahathir's successor, had been left out of economic decisions for months after differing with his boss on the course for recovery.
Malaysia's currency, the ringgit, and the markets have plummeted since the Asian economic crisis broke out in July 1997.
Anwar's supporters said the former deputy prime minister and finance minister has been treated badly.
SOUNDBITE: (Malaysian)
"The government shouldn't have done this to him (Anwar Ibrahim), the public have the right to judge him. The government bares responsibility for what happens from here"
SUPER CAPTION: Aziz Rahmat, Businessman
After Friday prayers at the mosque, Anwar held a news conference outside his home.
SOUNDBITE: (Malaysian)
"Now the fight begins"
SUPER CAPTION: Anwar Ibrahim, sacked deputy prime minister and finance minister
Anwar was asked if he would rejoin the government given the chance -but he replied there was no way of rebuilding his relations with the Malaysian Prime Minister.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It is just like you have a happily married life but then you divorce and say I'm still totally committed to my wife. It's a bit difficult"
Q- If its a wrong move, wrong decision to sack you......
A- It is of course the wrong decision to sack, it is an unjust decision to sack me"
SUPER CAPTION: Anwar Ibrahim, sacked deputy prime minister and finance minister
Anwar said there was no truth in the allegations made against him.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"You need to charge me, you can charge somebody else with the reference all to me and the charges and the innuendos and allegations are based merely on hear say that is what you call rule of law in Mahathir's time"
SUPER CAPTION: Anwar Ibrahim, sacked deputy prime minister and finance minister
The former deputy prime minister and finance minister said he was sure his supporters would fight for his freedom if he was arrested under the country's Internal Security Act, which allows for detention without trial.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
(kept) rather repressive and oppressive in stifling criticism "
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