Keadilan women's wing handed over a petition containing 21,000 signatures to the United Nation's representative in Kuala Lumpur today calling for the release of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The petition, addressed to UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, is an appeal to him to lead the world community in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Anwar, now serving 15 years in Sungai Buloh prison.

"In the last decade or so, the international community has shown increasing concern for gross injustices taking place in different parts of the world," said the petition.

"Many appeals have been made to the authorities by various sectors of Malaysian society, but they have fallen on deaf ears. We are now inviting the world community to add its voice to ours," the petition added.

This petition, launched on Oct 14 last year as part of the national-level ''Free Anwar Campaign', was accepted by Anis Yaacob on behalf of the UN office at Jalan Duta, presented by Keadilan wanita chief Fuziah Salleh, who led the delegation of 40 persons.

Fuziah said that Anwar's sacking and his subsequent arrest, assault and imprisonment were tantamount to a travesty of justice.

She said he had been subjected to "farcical trials which have outraged the international judicial and legal fraternity".

She added that it was obvious to all and sundry that Anwar is a victim of malicious, vicious political persecution.

"He posed a challenge to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's authoritarian might and the corruption and cronyism that taint his regime," Fuziah said.

The prime minister had justified Anwar's removal from position and power and his 15 year imprisonment by prosecuting Anwar on corruption, abuse of power and sodomy charges, she added.

"As women, we are confident that we speak on behalf of an overwhelming majority of Malaysian women. We are shocked and appalled at the injustice and sheer cruelty inflicted upon Anwar and consequently also on his family," she added.

Fuziah stressed that the international community has to respond to the injustice perpetrated against Anwar as he was a good and capable leader with a sincere commitment to the well-being of the people, especially the poor and the marginalised.

She added that Malaysians had been eagerly awaiting the day when he would succeed the present Prime Minister in the normal political process as " we still feel very emphatically that he is the best candidate for the post".

Added urgency

Fuziah said that the oppression of the weak and dispossessed; violations of the rights of specific groups of people; and the abuse of the dignity and honour of individuals have attracted the attention of international institutions, governments and non-governmental organisations.

"At this juncture, with Anwar once again seriously ill in hospital, there is an added urgency to our appeal," she said.

"His present condition serves to underline the authorities' total and callous disregard for Anwar's health, indeed the very safety of his life," she added.

Anwar was hospitalised after complaining of back pains six weeks ago.

Fuziah said this indicated an absence of fundamental human feelings in Malaysian leaders, which all Malaysians, and women in particular, find reprehensible.