(5 Nov 1998) English/Nat
The trial of Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's ousted deputy prime minister, has caused conflict between ASEAN member nations.
Several leaders have criticised Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government for using heavy handed tactics against Anwar.
Court rulings barring some observers from the trial have further strained regional relations.
Mahathir himself has been trying to ease tensions with Asian leaders.
He met with his Singaporean counterpart but refused to answer reporters' questions about Anwar's trial.
The trial of Anwar Ibrahim, taking place in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, has attracted much national and international media attention.
Anwar, formerly deputy prime minister, was sacked by the country's Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, early in September.
He faces 10 charges of sodomy and corruption - which he denies.
Since his arrest, Anwar's supporters have taken to the streets in protest at Mahathir's rule.
The case drew more attention when Anwar showed up at his arraignment with a black eye and bruises.
He claimed police beat him after his arrest on September 20.
Mahathir has said Anwar is morally unfit to stay in the government.
On Thursday, Malaysia's top intelligence chief, Mohamad Said Awang, took to the witness stand.
During his testimony he said he might lie under oath, if ordered to do so by his bosses.
Now many Asian leaders are showing concern for Anwar's well being.
Indonesia and the Philippines have both sent delegations to observe the trial.
Philippine President Joseph Estrada even plans to visit Anwar in jail during his visit for the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference later this month.
However, some observers have been denied access to the trial.
Heherson Alvarez is a Philippine congressman who is heading up his country's delegation of observers.
Alvarez fears that the trial is bad for all the ASEAN members.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"If it's going to be a conviction that leaps all observers and advocates of human rights, definitely it will have a negative impact on all the region. We were hoping that in the region, aside from moving ahead economically, we were moving ahead legally and spiritually in defence of the rights of man."
SUPER CAPTION: Heherson Alvarez, Philippine Observer
Other leaders, including the Thai foreign minister, have expressed concern all ASEAN members will be tarred by the negative perception of the trial.
A prominent Indonesian lawyer has been attending the court sessions and is not satisfied with the procedures so far.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"As you know this is a big case, that has a very far-reaching political impact. But more than that the human rights impact, not only for Malaysia, but for the whole world. How, in this state of openness and democratisation the court is not open, really open, and not responsive to the demand for the respect of human rights."
SUPER CAPTION: Adnan Buyong Nasution, Indonesian Observer
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister was concentrating on improving relations elsewhere.
On Thursday, he met with Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in the V-I-P lounge of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Foreign media were initially barred from the joint press conference with the two leaders, but were later let in after being told they could not ask questions.
The surprise visit by Goh comes at a time when the two nations have been squabbling over a range of bilateral issues ranging from airspace to the location of a railroad station.
They last met in April.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
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