In a move that could be interpreted as a gradual shift in stance, the United States today expressed the view that the Anwar issue is no longer an irritant in its relations with Malaysia.

US ambassador to Malaysia Marie Huhtala said that, while the US maintains the position that the Anwar trials were flawed, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has "moved on from the Anwar issue."

In the past, US foreign policy with regard to Malaysia has always been consistent in stating that ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim did not receive a fair trial and that he was jailed for his political opposition to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The US' expression of outrage and, in return, anger from Malaysia made no secret of the fact that the Anwar issue was a true irritant in bilateral relations, said Huhtala when asked on the matter.

Anwar, who is serving a jail term totalling 15 years for sodomy and corruption, has maintained that he is a victim of a political conspiracy to oust him from the government.