Our tarnished reputation is beyond repair

The February 10 verdict on opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ends Anwar’s legal options to challenge the sodomy conviction. In the bigger picture, it is a major blow to rule of law and independence of the courts.

As highlighted by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Anwar’s right to a fair trial has been violated. I quote: “This decision is a clear setback to the rule of law in Malaysia and is incompatible with the principle of presumption of innocence”.

Not only does the verdict tarnish Malaysia’s already dire reputation, it sends the wrong signal to the international community on our commitments as Association of Southeast Asia Nations (Asean) chair and a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council.

Immediately after the verdict, the response from the international community was overwhelming – unfortunately, in a negative way. The United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Australia, New Zealand and several other countries have released statements condemning the court’s decision.

At the same time, human rights organisations such as Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW) and International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) also issued similar statements critical of the court’s decision.

Adding to this, according to a statement by the Swiss Foreign Ministry, Switzerland will address Anwar’s sodomy conviction at the next meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The grounds of this outrage and disappointment are not whether Anwar is guilty or innocent; it is about the court processes and, most importantly, the constant harassment against opposition politicians.

Malaysia’s human rights are sinking because of the continued intimidation against dissenting voices.

Calling the verdict “Malaysia’s Anwar shame”, the Wall Street Journal said, “In the process it has damaged the country’s reputation as well as the fabric of society, and perhaps sealed its (Barisan Nasional’s) own fate at the next election.”

After all the “glorious” commitments pledged by the government both regionally and internationally, we are not walking the talk.

What happened to the reformist ideas by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak? When Najib first announced his plans for political and democratic reform, people viewed it as a major step forward for political change in the country.

But now, Malaysia’s standing in the international community has been critically eroded by the Anwar verdict. Our tarnished reputation is beyond repair simply because it is not a coincidence when you have all the international community objecting to the court processes and decision.

Public confidence in Malaysia’s judiciary has gone downhill to the point where few were surprised at the outcome.

Malaysia simply cannot afford to turn a deaf ear to world opinion about the conviction. Now, it is not only the country’s reputation that is damaged; the question is how this verdict will affect prospects of Malaysia’s own future. – February 16, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.