Malaysia distances itself from Mahathir

Malaysia's government sought to distance itself from a war tribunal set up by former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad to try world leaders, including John Howard and George W Bush, for alleged war crimes.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Mahathir's move was an "independent effort" and would not hurt Malaysia's ties with the countries whose leaders were accused of committing crimes against humanity.

Mahathir, who remains a respected figure in the Islamic world after his retirement in October 2003 after 22 years in power, launched the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday. The tribunal doesn't have the legal authority of an international organisation and cannot impose penalties.

It plans to hold trials based on complaints by Iraqis and Palestinians against leaders including Howard, Bush, Britain's Tony Blair and Israel's ex-prime minister Ariel Sharon.

Syed Hamid said he doesn't think Mahathir's actions will hurt Malaysia's relations with the United States and the other countries.

"Even in the (United) States, there are groups who don't agree with the war," he told reporters. "If you are mature enough in international relations, we must allow for existence of differing views."

He said the war tribunal was a reflection of democracy in Malaysia.

Mahathir "has taken that approach. I will not say the government supports or objects to it," he said.

"It is an independent tribunal. Let them take the initiative which is within their rights as citizens of Malaysia ... it is nice to see freedom being exercised."

The tribunal received its first petition on Wednesday, signed by 10 people who said they were victims of crimes against humanity in Iraq and the Palestinian territories.

Most members of the nine-person tribunal are Malaysian legal experts and former judges, but it plans to add more foreign members.
(The West Australian)


Malaysia Mahathir Abdullah Ahmad Badawi