Interview with former Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar

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• published: 21 Jul 2015
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SHOTLIST AP Television London, UK - 15 March 2007 1. Wide of Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim 2. Close up of hands 3. Mid of Ibrahim 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian opposition figure: "The initial test will be the acceptance of the nomination to be president of the party. That's of course in contravention of the existing law, but we are challenging that in court." FILE: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 23 October 1995 5. Then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his then deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, walking 6. Mid of Mahathir 7. Mid of Mahathir and Anwar London, UK - 15 March 2007 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian opposition figure: "If it comes to a position where (there is) the risk of de-registration, party de-registration, then of course I would opt to support the party, and relinquish the position as president." FILE: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 8 August 2000 9. Former deputy prime minister Anwar waving from car door 10. Row of riot police outside court 11. Various of protesters with banner in support of Anwar AP Television London, UK - 15 March 2007 12. SOUNDBITE (English) Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian opposition figure: "Malaysia is ready, after half a century of independence, to function as a mature democracy, to have effective institutions of governance, a more accountable government, institutions which would include an independent judiciary, independent commission against corruption, which is endemic, which is a major problem now, which have a more competitive economy, and promote growth in the region." FILE: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 4 September 2004 13. Anwar Ibrahim wheeled out to car from house 14. People struggling to take pictures of him 15. Anwar pumps fist, zoom in as he turns and waves to others in crowd 16. Anwar waving as he is wheeled off to immigration at the airport STORYLINE Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday he agreed to run for Keadilan party (People's Justice Party of Malaysia) president in party elections on May 26, defying a ban on him holding any political office and running in a general election until April 2008 because of a previous jail sentence. The party, set up in 1999, is currently headed by Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. "The initial test will be the acceptance of the nomination to be president of the party. That's of course in contravention of the existing law, but we are challenging that in court," Anwar said in an interview with AP Television. Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998 by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad over allegations of homosexuality and corruption. He has said the charges were trumped up because he had begun to challenge Mahathir's authority. Anwar was arrested, tried for alleged corruption and sodomy, and sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison. He was released in September 2004 after being acquitted of sodomy. But he had already finished serving the corruption sentence, and that criminal record bars him from holding any political office and from running in general elections until April 2008. If Anwar becomes Keadilan president, the party would have to apply to the Registrar of Society to request that the ban on political office be waived. If the registrar refuses, he said the party can appeal the decision in court. If it loses the appeal, Anwar would have to step down or the party would risk being deregistered. "If it comes to a position where (there is) the risk of de-registration, party de-registration, then of course I would opt to support the party, and relinquish the position as president," Anwar said. The party expects early general elections this year and wants Anwar to play an active role even if he can't run, a party official said on Sunday. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/3364ef56154c3569147cfd8d7b9270e0 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork