PKR disappointed by Obama’s snub against Anwar

(The Star) – PKR is disappointed that the US president Barack Obama will not be meeting Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his inaugural Malaysian visit, said PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic).

The statement on Tuesday was in response to US National Security Advisor, Susan Rice’s announcement on Friday that Obama will not be paying the Permatang Pauh MP a call when he flies down on April 26.

“The United States of America wishes to be known as a country that promotes a mature democracy, freedom and justice.

“While the Obama administration is caught between non-interventionist principles, it should also note that this is not merely an issue of intervention but should be taken in the larger context of injustice, especially in light of the way in which Anwar was convicted and the political conspiracy that surrounds the accusation,” said Saifuddin.

“(A meeting between Obama and Anwar) is more significant now as it would take place with Anwar’s court appeal in the background.

“Apart from the issue of the missing MH370, Anwar’s trial also generated significant global attention,” he said at a press conference at PKR headquarters.

Although Obama did not include an official meeting with Anwar in his itinerary, US officials did not rule out the possibility of a lower-level meeting between the two.