Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim wanted to sue former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for 100 million Ringgits (NZ$39 million) after he accused him of being gay - but the appeals court has rejected the case. Anwar Ibrahim Anwar had filed the suit in 2006 against his former boss after Mahathir spoke publicly at a human rights conference describing the opposition leader as homosexual and 'a sodomist'. The High Court later ruled that Anwar's suit was unsustainable and that Dr Mahathir's remarks were' fair comment' made in the public interest. Anwar had worked as Mahathir's deputy until he was sacked in 1998 on sodomy and corruption charges. His sex conviction was later overturned and he was released after serving six years in jail. Another sodomy accusation was levelled at Anwar last year, following a police complaint from a 23-year-old male aide. 'Sodomy', even between consenting adults, is a crime punishable by up to 20 years' jail under Malaysian law.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Friday, 23rd October 2009 - 10:29am