Pakatan Rakyat parliamentarians has today backed 50 Australian lawmakers in calling for the government to drop the sodomy charges against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

NONE In issuing the call, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang ( left ) said he has also requested Parliament to hold an emergency session following pressures from the Australian lawmakers for Malaysia to drop the charges .

He said the protest at the Australian High Commission yesterday by an Umno Youth-led crowd does not reflect the opinions of all elected parliamentarians.

Lim claimed that there are Barisan Nasional MPs who do not condone the protest.

“I call on (Premier) Najib (Razak) and the AG (attorney-general) to heed the international calls for justice. Drop the sodomy case against Anwar. We will also call for an emergency meeting of Parliament before its March 15 sitting to call for the withdrawal of the prosecution against Anwar.

“The memorandum would have all the support of Pakatan Rakyat MPs, along with assemblypersons from the coalition of PAS, PKR and DAP,” he said.

PKR strategist Tian Chua argued that the Australians were not “interfering” but were upholding the very principles of democracy that Malaysia holds dear.

"We as elected reps have protested against aggressions in both Burma and Palestine, as being parliamentarians, we uphold the principles of democracy

"This is because we and Pakatan feel that the prosecution (of Anwar) is uncalled for. The actions by the Australian MPs is not an intervention (over our domestic affairs) but to uphold the principles of democracy and the rule of law. "

Don’t make Malaysia into a laughing stock

PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar has also called on the government to drop the sodomy charges to prevent the country being made the laughing stock of the world.

Mahfuz, who is also Pokok Sena MP, said the way the case has been conducted indicated a conspiracy against Anwar.

“We do not want Malaysia's good reputation to be tarnished as a result of this lawless prosecution. This would make Malaysia the world’s laughing stock.”

NONE “For this reason, we in PAS, are joining others in DAP and PKR to call on the government to withdraw the prosecution against Anwar,” he said.

Karpal, who is leading Anwar's defence team, said there was no doubt that the entire investigation against Anwar began with this groundless charge which subsequently led to the on-going prosecution.

“Hence the AG has to seriously consider dropping the charge. In the eyes of the world, we are being made a laughing stock. Medical reports from three eminent doctors from Hospital Kuala Lumpur have declared that there was conclusive evidence that there was no penetration.

“This is the fundamental ingredient of section 377B for sodomy. I am surprised the Court of Appeal did not accept our argument. Our argument is solid and we are becoming a laughing stock in the eyes of the world if we allow the prosecution to go on,” he said.

Yesterday, the appellate court dismiss Anwar's appeal to have the sodomy charge quashed.

Anwar: Black hands involved

Anwar, in commenting on the show of unity by his Pakatan colleagues, said he appreciated their initiative and support.

NONE “We are talking about due process, the rule of law must be fair. There has been two black hands - Najib and (his wife) Rosmah - behind the decision (in the prosecution against him).

“Do we want to proceed with this farce and trump-up charges, where institutions (such as the judiciary) being downgraded. This is a travesty of justice. The issue here is a denial of due process from the word go.”

Before the trial begins this morning, Anwar has submitted an affidavit on a stay for yesterday's Court of Appeal decision.

Anwar, was accompanied by ousted Perak menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, Batu MP Tian Chua, Pokok Sena MP and PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar, Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang and former MCA vice-president Chua Jui Meng.

As the hearing began, about 100 Anwar supporters gather inside the lobby on the first floor to recite ‘Yassin’ (Islamic prayers). Sabak Bernam PKR division chief Badrul Amin Bahron led the recital.

Karpal also informed that the lawyers for Anwar will file an appeal tomorrow over this morning’s decision in which the judge opted not to disqualify himself from hearing the case after allegations of bias.