Malaysia

Opposition demonstrates, investigator goes missing

Article published on the 2008-07-06 Latest update 2008-07-06 13:53 TU

Part of the audience at the opposition rally
(Photo: Reuters)

Several thousand people attended a rally of Malaysia's oppositon parties to protest at inflation and hear speakers including Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat or People's Justice Party. Meanwhile, police say they have asked for international help to find a private investigator who accused Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak of having an affair with a woman who was later murdered.

"PM resign!" the crowd at the rally chanted, as speakers criticised Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the recent 41 per cent fuel price rise.

"The protests will only get worse until the government listens to the voice of the people to ease their burden and suffering," said one of the organisers, Hatta Ramli from the Islamic opposition party Pas.

Anwar this week claimed that he would soon be able to form a government, predicting mass defections from the ranks of the ruling National Front or Barisan Nasional.

Police Sunday said that they have asked Interpol to help find private investigator Balasubramaniam Perumal. On Thursday Balasubramaniam released a sworn statement accusing Rasik of having an affair with murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, only to retract the charge the next day.

On Saturday his nephew filed a missing person's report for his uncle and his family.

Police say they suspect the private investigator may be in hiding.

Balasubramaniam made his accusation at a press conference with Anwar, who claims that Rasik is behind charges of sodomy against him.

"It is very obvious that is part of a tussle for power," analyust Chandra Muzzafar told RFI.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Rais Yatim has protested to the US over a State Department declared that it would oppose a politically motivated investigation into Anwar.