The Free Anwar Campaign (FAC) movement will kick start its national public awareness rally tonight to urge the Federal Court to uphold its integrity and deliver an independent verdict on disposed deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's final appeal against a sodomy charge.

The campaign titled 'Dark Justice' will be officiated tonight at Anwar's residence in Bukit Damasara before moving on to Penang tomorrow. The campaign will also be held in Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Pahang over the coming week.

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Tian Chua said that from the proceedings of Anwar's trials to date, it was clear that the judiciary had not taken steps to reclaim its integrity.

"It is the responsibility of the prime minister to reform the judiciary and as far as this is concerned we haven't seen any light at the end of the tunnel," he said, thus explaining the reason for the campaign's gens.

He said that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has disappointed the people in not keeping the promises of reforms he made six months ago when he assumed the premiership.

Judicial rehabilitation

Tian Chua explained that the campaign was not about Anwar only, but for the rehabilitation of the judicial system.

"We will highlight issues (such as Anwar's case) that pertain to our judicial system and inform the public on how important it is to preserve the institution," he added.

Present at the press conference were PKR vice-president Syed Hussien Ali, its deputy president R Sivarasa, party Youth-wing information chief Latheefa Koya and Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah ( photo ).

Anwar was axed from his post by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1998 and charged in court for sodomy and abuse of power. He has already completed a five-year sentence for the latter.

The former deputy premier says there was a conspiracy to oust him and that he was framed on trumped-up charges. The government has denied the allegations.

Recently, Anwar's bid for bail pending the result of his final appeal against his sodomy conviction was rejected by the Federal Court.

'No more excuses'

Tian Chua said the people were getting tired of excuses and any reforms by the prime minister should have been implemented during his initial period in office.

"Previously, he said that he needed a big mandate from the general election to implement reforms. Now that he has an overwhelming mandate, he says he now needs to wait for the Umno party elections to be over," he said.

S Arutchelvan, representing human rights group Suaram at the press conference said that while much publicity had been given to snatch thefts, little had been publicised on how the judiciary's independence also been 'snatched away' by the executive.

He warned that unless the public faith in the judiciary was restored by the authorities, Malaysia could become 'a laughing stock'.