Malaysian opposition leader Anwar on trial again

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim went on trial today on charges of sodomy for the second time in a decade in a case that was being closely watched by foreign embassies.

The trial of the 62-year old former deputy premier represents the biggest political challenge to Prime Minister Najib Razak who is attempting to rebuild the coalition that has ruled Malaysia for over half a century after record losses in elections in 2008.

“These are the machinations of a dirty, corrupt few,” an upbeat looking Anwar said of the trial as he entered the court in the Malaysian capital accompanied by two of his daughters and clasping the hand of his wife to cries of “long live Anwar” from 50 or so supporters.

Najib who has been premier since April last year also needs to defuse a religious row that has damaged the government and win back foreign investment that fled Malaysia at a faster rate than almost any other emerging market economy in 2009.

“The evidence will have to be overwhelming in order to move beyond the perception that Najib Razak is using the judiciary to remove a political rival in a desperate and mistaken move to shore up his own position,” said Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia specialist as Singapore Management University.