Reformasi activists will launch a new campaign - the Free Anwar Movement - to intensify pressure on the government to re-examine issues that led to the imprisonment of ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking ahead of the launch scheduled for tomorrow night at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Tian Chua said the movement expects to reignite the agenda of reformasi - the slogan which emerged from Anwar's sacking from office in 1998 and subsequent imprisonment.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will launch the movement. Among those expected to attend the event are Keadilan deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali and PAS leader Dr Hatta Ramli.

Tian said the revival of the reformasi agenda is also meant to remind Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to fulfill his promise to improve the country's record of human rights and democracy.

He said the focus of the movement would be more than just freedom for Anwar, and that it would reflect Malaysian aspirations for fundamental civil and political liberties.

Substantive reforms

In this respect, he noted that Abdullah ( photo ) would have to do more than reform public institutions, such as in the civil service and Anti-Corruption Agency, to impress the rakyat .

Tian said Abdullah's call for reforms would have no substance unless he can convincingly and courageously address the issue of Anwar's "politically motivated" imprisonment.

"The unfair trial and detention of Anwar epitomises the decay and corruption of the judiciary, as well as of the entire political system that is in place," he said when contacted today.

"(Abdullah) said he wants to improve human rights and yet continues to keep a political prisoner behind bars," claimed Tian.

"How can Abdullah claim to seek the truth when he has chosen to ignore complaints made against corrupt cabinet ministers - and then punishes the complainant, as in the case of Keadilan Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor." ( photo )

Ezam was convicted of breaching the Official Secrets Act in August 2002 and sentenced to two years' jail. He is appealing the conviction and sentence and is currently out on bail.

Judicial independence

Tian further found it upsetting that Abdullah has yet to make a clear statement on the independence of judiciary.

"He hasn't come clean on the judiciary. He should openly say that judges are free to make decisions without political intervention," Tian said.

"To us, the Anwar cases are clear cut and we believe that he would not have been convicted on those charges (corruption and sodomy) if this was not politically motivated."

Asked if the spirit of reformas i has declined with the jailing of Anwar, Tian said the commitment and enthusiasm for the struggle has not wavered.

"It is still within those who had protested against blatant violation of fundamental liberties and participated in the street rallies and public assemblies," he said.

"Its vigour, however, has been suppressed by a series of heavy crackdowns including mass arrests of demonstrators, detention without trial, the banning of ceramah (public talks), media control, and state and police harassment."