Few will buy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s contention that the Sodomy II trial is “a personal, not political trial” , argued an opposition leader.

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang is so confident the overwhelming majority of Malaysians see the trial as political that he urged the government to conduct a public opinion poll.

lim kit siang on conversion case 210409 02 “Extend the opinion poll to all keen observers of Malaysian affairs worldwide and there can be no doubt that the overwhelming majority of opinion - whether national or international - will be of the view that the Sodomy II trial is a political, not personal, trial.”

The Ipoh Timur MP stressed that he had no doubt over the outcome of such polls.

“Is Najib really unaware that national and international confidence in Malaysian governance - an important element for Malaysia’s declining international competitiveness - hinges considerably on the process and outcome of the Sodomy II trial, which explains the presence of international observers at the trial?”

Trio go to Washington

Lim said that if the Sodomy II trial is not a political trial as claimed by Najib, the premier would not send a high-powered team to United States to speak at an event hosted by a Washington think-tank next Wednesday.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail and former chief justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad - will be participating in a two-hour seminar on governance and rule of law in Malaysia.

Lim also ticked off Najib for smacking down the opposition leader’s suggestion for a special sitting of Parliament to discuss the call by 50 Australian lawmakers that the Sodomy II charges against Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim be dropped.

“Is Najib worried that he will not be able to get the solid support of every Barisan Nasional MPs if there is an emergency meeting of Parliament on the matter?”