Malaysian ministers pull minorities memorandum - AFP

AFP, KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysia's non-Muslim ministers have withdrawn a controversial memorandum which called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to protect the rights of religious minorities, local media said yesterday.

Eight of the Cabinet ministers who submitted the unprecedented memorandum -- which critics say constituted a breach of protocol -- have withdrawn it, with only one signatory remaining non-committal, said the New Straits Times.

"As advised by the PM, submitting the memo is procedurally inappropriate. Following his advice, we have withdrawn the memo," Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting said in a joint statement to the official Bernama news agency.

But Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Bernard Dompok defended the memo, saying: "To my mind, it is an attempt by myself and my colleagues in the Cabinet to try to help in pointing out what are the possible things that had to be done in order to settle some of the issues that are involved."

"I think that is all contained in the memorandum and I don't think there is anything offensive in that," said Dompok.

The ministers came under fire from several colleagues at Wednesday's weekly Cabinet meeting after they submitted the memorandum, which calls for a review of laws and the constitution where they infringe on minorities' rights.

Their unusual move followed the controversial Muslim burial of well-known mountaineer M. Moorthy last month, despite his Hindu wife's protests, which sparked outrage among religious minorities.

[More at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/01/23/2003290371]

Samy Vellu Says "Not Bothered" By Call To Resign - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Sunday he was "not bothered" by a call by People's Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M. Kayveas to the nine ministers involved in the memorandum controversy to resign from the Cabinet.

He said only Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was entitled to give advice to the nine ministers.

"We know what we are doing. The Prime Minister knows what our problems are. We are not looking for advice from other parties. The Prime Minister's advice is good enough...what he says, we will follow," he said after presenting the President's Merit Awards to 517 Tamil school students who scored 7As in last year's UPSR examination at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

Samy Vellu, who is also the MIC president, said this when asked to comment on Kayveas' statement yesterday that the nine ministers should resign for going against the spirit of the Barisan Nasional.

The memorandum, which asked for a review of laws affecting the rights of non-Muslims, was signed and submitted by nine non-Muslim Cabinet ministers to Abdullah last Wednesday. They included Samy Vellu.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=176895]

Najib Says Memo By Ministers Improper And Against Cabinet System - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Friday the action by nine non-Muslim Cabinet ministers in submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister calling for a review of laws that affect the rights of non-Muslims was "improper" and "not nice".

"It is against the Cabinet system and unprecedented," he told reporters at the Malaysian-French Chamber of Commerce annual dinner here Friday night.

The memorandum, signed by nine of the 10 non-Muslim ministers, was handed to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Thursday.

The ministers were Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (Housing and Local Government), Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy (Transport), Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (Human Resources), Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek (Health), Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu (Works), Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik (Energy, Water and Communications), Datuk Peter Chin (Plantation Industries and Commodities), Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department).

The exception was Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad who was abroad.

Najib said he hoped everyone would let the Prime Minister make a correct and just decision after considering all views and without any pressure.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=176707]

No Need To Amend Article 121 (1a), Says Abdullah - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Article 121 (1a) of the Federal Constitution governing the powers of the civil and syariah courts need not be amended, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday.

"Only laws that can create problems and misinterpretations should be studied whether they should be amended to make them clearer," he told reporters after launching a book entitled Antologi Puisi Sasterawan Negara A. Samad Said.

Abdullah was asked to comment on the matter following a joint memorandum submitted by 10 non-Muslim cabinet ministers to him yesterday, urging him to review laws related to conversion of religion.

The memorandum, among others, was signed by Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

Article 121 (1a) states that the Civil Court has no jurisdiction on matters under the purview of the Syariah Court.

The religion conversion issue surfaced following the death of Mount Everest climber Sgt M. Moorthy or Muhammad Abdullah when his widow S. Kaliammal and the Federal Territories Religious Department (Jawi) were involved in a dispute over his burial.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=176688]

Non-Muslim Ministers Submit Joint Memo On Religious Conversion - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- The 10 non-Muslim Cabinet ministers have submitted a joint memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi appealing to him to review the laws pertaining to religious conversion.

The memorandum, which details the related laws and recommendations, was signed by all the ministers, including Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting; Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik; Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

The others are Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy; Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn; Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili; Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui.

According to Dr Ongkili, the memorandum was submitted to the prime minister at the Cabinet meeting Wednesday.

"The proposal will be studied by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of law, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, and the attorney-general. They will make the neccesary recommendations for further action," he told Bernama when contacted Thursday.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=176501]

Over his dead body - The Guardian

By John Aglionby

Religious minorities in predominantly Muslim Malaysia have launched a campaign to amend the country's constitution after the high court ruled it had no jurisdiction to intervene in a decision made by an Islamic court over a dead man's burial that his non-Muslim wife disputed.

The minorities fear that unless action is taken, the Islamic, or sharia, authorities could bully their way into further restricting non-Muslims' rights, particularly those of women and children.

"We cannot allow a small group who are extreme in their views to dominate the nation's social and religious life," the Rev Wong Kim Kong, a spokesman for the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS), told Guardian Unlimited. "If no action is taken by the government then it might sow disharmony."

The campaign was launched after the high court in Kuala Lumpur ruled on Wednesday it had no authority to address, let alone overrule, a sharia court decision that a dead man, Moorthy Maniam, must be given a Muslim burial because several people said he had converted to Islam even though there was no documentary evidence to confirm the conversion. Mr Moorthy's Hindu wife, along with other people, contested the assertion that he had converted, but she was not allowed to present her case in the sharia court.

Mr Moorthy, 36, a former soldier who was a member of the first Malaysian team to scale Mount Everest, died on December 20 after going into a coma on November 11. He had been paralysed since 1998. He was given a Muslim burial on Wednesday.

The Islamic affairs department claimed in court that Mr Moorthy converted verbally in October 2004. His widow, Kaliammal Sinnasamy, said he continued to practise Hinduism up until his final illness, that he visited a Hindu temple, ate pork and drank alcohol.

[More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/dec/30/worlddispatch.johnaglionby]

PM Hopes Hanafi Can Bring Change To Pengkalan Pasir - Bernama

From Khairdzir Yunus

MECCA, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in his thank you message to Pengkalan Pasir voters for returning victory to Barisan Nasional (BN), hopes BN candidate Hanafi Mamat would bring about change to the constituency.

"As I have said, Hanafi will make a good state assemblyman for the constituency," said the Prime Minister when asked for his reaction to BN's triumph in the Pengkalan Pasir by-election, Wednesday.

BN wrested control over Pas stronghold in Pengkalan Pasir when 51-year old Hanafi, who is also Pasir Mas Deputy Umno division chief won the by-election after a recount Wednesday.

Hanafi secured 7,422 votes with a 134-vote majority, defeating Pas candidate Hanifa Ahmad who garnered 7,288 votes. Independent candidate Datuk Ibrahim Ali received mere 415 votes and lost his deposit.

Abdullah, who is BN chairman told the Malaysian media covering the Third Extraordinary Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) that he was grateful to Allah that the by-election had proceeded smoothly and the people had the opportunity to exercise their rights in electing their state assemblyman, through the ballot box.

"I would also like to thank the Barisan Nasional election machinery led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib (Tun Razak) and Datuk (Seri) Annuar Musa (Kelantan Umno Liaison Chief).

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=169272]

BN Wins After Recount In Pengkalan Pasir By-election - Bernama

PASIR MAS, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- After a recount, Barisan Nasional's (BN) Hanafi Mamat was Wednesday given the mandate as the state assemblyman for Pengkalan Pasir, ending Pas dominance in the constituency, with a majority of 134 votes.

Hanafi, 51, who is also Pasir Mas Deputy Umno division chief polled 7,422 votes against Hanifa Ahmad of Pas who garnered 7,288 votes.

Independent contestant Datuk Ibrahim Ali received 415 votes. He lost his deposit.

The returning officer Abdul Halim Ahmad announced the result at the tallying centre in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Ibrahim (I) here at 12.31 pm.

At the first count last night, Hanafi was declared the winner at 9.22 pm with a 129 vote majority after securing 7,419 votes against Hanifa's 7,290 while Ibrahim garnered a mere 414 votes.

Also present were Umno Secretary General Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Kelantan Umno chief Datuk Seri Annuar Musa.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=169115]

Video prompts inquiry into 'abuse' of detainee - The Guardian

By John Aglionby in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian officials scrambled to repair the nation's image yesterday after it was tarnished by a minute-long video clip showing a naked woman of Chinese origin being compelled to do squats while holding her ears in front of an ethnic Malay policewoman.

The police are investigating the grainy footage that looks like it was shot in a police station, and prime minister Abdullah Badawi insisted there should be no cover-up if the mobile phone recording is found to be authentic.

Chinese women have made many complaints about their treatment while in detention.

[From http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/nov/26/malaysia]

Commotion In Dewan Rakyat Over "Monyet" Remark - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- A slanging match erupted in the Dewan Rakyat between backbenchers and the opposition Wednesday over the remark "macam monyet" (like monkeys) uttered by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk M. Kayveas.

It started when opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) interjected when Kayveas was about to reply to a query from Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) on a court case that has been postponed for a long time.

Lim said Kayveas should not reply if he did not know.

Kayveas replied: "Yes, let me reply and you hear first. People from overseas are here, (referring to the European Union parliamentarians observing the proceedings) behaving like monkeys (referring to Lim) is embarrassing to our country.

"Like monkeys...I want to answer but he (Lim) does not want to listen."

"I want to answer why the case has been postponed but Lim does not want to listen. The case was postponed because the lawyer was in the opposition. Many opposition members are lawyers but the case was postponed because the lawyer did not come to court," he said.

Opposition MPs then demanded Kayveas to retract the word "macam monyet", citing House Standing Orders which said MPs are not allowed to utter unparliamentary words when Parliament was in session.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=166550]

Keling: Apim Lodges Police Report Against Jerai MP - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The Federal Territory and Selangor Indian Muslim Front (Apim) lodged a police report against Jerai Member of Parliament Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin Sunday for referring to Indians as "Keling" in the Dewan Rakyat recently.

Apim chairman Ramli Abdullah lodged the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 11.17am.

He said Badruddin should make a public apology to Malaysians, especially the Indian community, for using such a derogatory term in the Dewan on Tuesday.

The "keling" issue arose when Badruddin's choice of words led to a quarrel with other MPs and he told them that "keling" was used by northerners to refer to Indians. He later retracted his remark.

Ramli said Badruddin should be aware that Apim had an ongoing suit against Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) over the term "Keling" published in the third edition of DBP's dictionary.

Present were other key officials of Apim and the Malaysian Indian Youth Council.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=163004]

Govt Announces NAP Framework To Make M'sia Regional Automotive Hub - Bernama

By Yong Soo Heong

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The government, Wednesday announced its National Automotive Policy Framework aimed at making Malaysia a regional hub for the manufacturing, assembly and distribution of automotive vehicles and to promote a competitive and viable automotive sector in the country, in particular national car manufacturers.

Ten immediate measures are set for implementation in the framework ahead of the announcement of the NAP, which would be in one to three months, following a study now being conducted, government officials familiar with the NAP framework told a media briefing, here Wednesday.

Among the much-awaited measures is the long-term phasing out of Approved Permits (APs), allowing Bumi-controlled public-listed companies to apply directly for APs and exempting these companies from the 70 percent Bumi shareholding requirement for franchise APs.

The government also said that exclusive franchise holders such as DRB-Hicom and Sime Darby -- which are exclusive franchise holders of certain vehicle brands, can import vehicles directly, rather than through intermediaries.

Besides streamlining the procedures for APs for the importation of cars into the country, the NAP framework provides for a slew of customised incentives even for non-national car manufacturers.

This means that any car manufacturer will be accorded the incentives after due consideration and evaluation as they would be tailor-made to meet the specific needs of an investor.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=161381]

Rafidah Denies Shunning Dewan Rakyat Sitting - Bernama

From Nor Baizura Basri

VIENTIANE, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz Wednesday denied that she had shirked her responsibility to the Dewan Rakyat, saying she was here working for the country.

She said it was unjust to conclude thus when she was abroad in the interest of the nation.

"I come here for work, as you can see I'm doing my work. I'm worried if they are not able to make any decision here. It could affect the Asean Summit in December and affect our image as a host," she told Bernama and Utusan Malaysia here.

Rafidah said it was most important to resolve all issues at the Asean Economic Ministers meeting here as Malaysia had to make preparations to host the 11th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December.

She was asked to comment on a statement by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang who had pointed out her absence at the current sitting of the Dewan Rakyat to reply to questions on the issue of approved permit (AP) for import of vehicles.

Lim has been quoted as saying that Rafidah should be dropped from the Cabinet in view of the unresolved AP issue that had come up last May.

The issue came about after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad queried the way the AP scheme had been implemented, saying among other things that it only benefited a handful of bumiputeras and some of those who received APs were not automotive businessmen.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=157932]

Cabinet Wants Rafidah To Explain AP Issue In Dewan Rakyat - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet decided at its meeting Wednesday that International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz attend the Dewan Rakyat to explain the issue of approved permit (AP) for import of vehicles, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said the Cabinet wanted Rafidah to give the explanation as soon as she returned from abroad where she is on official business.

"The Cabinet decided that Rafidah give a statement in Parliament as soon as she is back in the country. We expect her to make the statement soon," he told reporters at the lobby of Parliament, here.

Rafidah is attending the Asean Economic Ministers Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, and is expected to return to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Last week she was in San Francisco on a trade mission to the United States and had not attended the Dewan Rakyat since its current sitting began on Sept 19.

Najib, who was asked whether the question of Rafidah's explanation of the AP issue was discussed at today's meeting of the Cabinet, said Rafidah must give the explanation because it was a Cabinet decision and that the "Cabinet can decide on anything".

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told a separate media conference that in view of the Cabinet decision, the Dewan Rakyat was expected to approve a motion tabled by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang on Sept 20 requesting Rafidah to turn up in person to reply to the questions raised on the AP issue.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=157859]

The Merdeka Embrace - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- It was perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the Merdeka Day 2005 celebrations -- the warm embrace exchanged between International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The minister and Dr Mahathir, who is Proton adviser, had recently traded remarks pertaining to the controversy surrounding the approved permit (AP) issue.

The fleeting moment in front of the VVIP stage was witnessed by several Cabinet ministers who were milling about as Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, were about to leave after the parade at Dataran Putrajaya on the Boulevard here Wednesday.

Nobody knew exactly what was said by Rafidah and Dr Mahathir, but the minister was seen to be in tears as she hugged the former prime minister, who looked calm throughout the episode.

Rafidah also gave Dr Siti Hasmah a warm hug before taking out a piece of tissue paper to wipe away the tears and accompanied the former First Couple to their car.

Efforts to get comments from Dr Mahathir and Rafidah were unsuccessful but several photographers managed to capture the "Merdeka" embrace.

Dr Mahathir had in May questioned the issuance of APs, saying that it was hurting national car Proton, and asked for the list of AP holders to be made public.

Rafidah responded then that disclosing the names had never been government policy, even during Dr Mahathir's time. But she disclosed that one of his sons too had been a recipient of APs.

Many parties asked Rafidah to apologise to Dr Mahathir for making what they felt were hurtful and disrespectful remarks against him, as she came under fire at the Umno general assembly in July over her handling of the AP issue.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=153063]

Anwar demands Malaysia clean-up - The Observer

By John Aglionby in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia's former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, who was jailed for six years on trumped-up corruption and sodomy charges, has threatened to overturn the political establishment that imprisoned him.

Two months after his release, the charismatic politician has spelt out a radical plan to replace the 'feudal and corrupt' establishment with a true democracy.

'It's not even the excesses; it's the basic rules we're missing,' he told The Observer in the first interview with a British newspaper since his release. 'The elections are not free and fair, the media is completely controlled, the judiciary is not independent and corruption is endemic.'

Anwar, 57, was regarded in the West as a political prisoner after he was fired by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1998 and within days incarcerated on flimsy graft and sodomy charges. He garnered further worldwide sympathy after the national police chief beat him up in custody.

When Abdullah Badawi replaced Mahathir last year, he did not block Anwar's appeal against the sodomy conviction, and he was freed in September, going straight to Germany for spinal surgery.

Now back in Malaysia, Anwar is trying to rally and unify the fragmented opposition and, in the absence of any help from the mainstream media, take his message directly to the people.

Despite Abdullah's control of the media and police, there are already signs that Anwar is making headway.

[More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/nov/28/malaysia]

Kadir Says Recent Money Politics Worst In Umno - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Judging by his outburst Tuesday, the fume in Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, who lost his Umno supreme council seat in last week's party election, has not simmered down.

Monday he broke his silence, saying that he was surprised to have been defeated despite receiving favourable number of nominations. On Tuesday, he came with a stronger statement.

The Sept 23 election was smeared with the worst case of money politics in the 34 years he had held national-level positions in the party, he said.

The Information Minister revealed that for the first time in all these years, he was persuaded by certain people (in the just-concluded election) to pay for votes.

"But I said no...I am orang lama (veteran). I couldn't do that."

"I have been with the party virtually for my entire life. I cannot destroy the party," Abdul Kadir told reporters after a luncheon he hosted for foreign correspondents at the Mutiara Hotel here.

In fact, he said, his own supporters warned him that it would be difficult for him to defend his supreme council post if money was not splashed.

[More at http://web5.bernama.com/umno2004/fullnews.php?id=95533]

Other Races Need Not Worry - Umno Leaders - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Non-Malays need not worry over Umno's effort to position the Malays in the rightful place as it is aimed at ensuring their 30 per cent share of the economic cake is realised.

Umno Supreme Council (MT) member who bagged the highest number of votes, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo said the non-Malays should view it positively.

This is because the Malays are still not satisfied with their economic achievement although the New Economic Policy has expired.

The Selangor Umno chief and Menteri Besar was asked to comment on the adjournment speech by the party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Umno annual general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre, here Saturday.

Dr Khir said that if the feeling of dissatisfaction among the Malays was left unattended, it would become cancerous and could finally lead to unfavourable consequences.

On the effort to bring Malay professionals together to help achieve the Malay agenda, Dr Khir said Umno's door was always opened.

[More at http://web5.bernama.com/umno2004/fullnews.php?id=95037]

Abdullah's Call Well Received - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The various calls made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in championing the Malay agenda during his winding up speech at the Umno General Assembly which ended Saturday, has been well received by other leaders.

Among others the new Umno president urged Umno members to work as a team to ensure the fulfilment of the Malay agenda and implement the concept of Islam Hadhari (Civilizational Islam) to achieve Malay glory.

In welcoming the call, vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said since the new party leadership had been established, everybody must close ranks to strengthen the party as requested by Abdullah.

"He (Abdullah) called on the new leadership line-up to work together for the betterment of the party," he said.

Muhyiddin said the President had also clearly defined the expectations and responsibilities required of Umno leaders to ensure Malay and national development.

Also special was Abdullah's invitation to all those who had lost in the election to continue serving the party.

[More at http://web5.bernama.com/umno2004/fullnews.php?id=95041]

Ailing Anwar cheered by well-wishers - The Guardian

By John Aglionby, South-east Asia correspondent

Thousands of supporters of Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's newly freed former deputy prime minister, went to Kuala Lumpur airport late on Saturday night to bid him farewell when he left for emergency spinal surgery in Germany.

Mr Anwar, 57, arrived in Munich yesterday and will have an operation today to cure his spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the gaps in the spinal column that results in extreme pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Observers and officials of Mr Anwar's People's Justice party (Keadilan) said the spontaneous demonstration by 4,000 people in Kuala Lumpur proved that the charismatic former political prisoner was likely to become an important figure in the pro-democracy movement, and mocked claims by the ruling coalition that he was an insignificant political force.

Carrying party flags and placards of support, the demonstration was by far the largest since Mr Anwar was freed after the overturning of his sodomy conviction last Thursday.

Cries of, "Long live Anwar" and "Reformasi", the slogan of the reform movement Mr Anwar led after being sacked in 1998 until he was arrested a few months later.

[More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/06/malaysia]