[September 29, 2010] M'sia's opposition leader 'tarnishing country's image' Tweet Sep 29, 2010 (The Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's action of tarnishing his own country's image in Indonesia is a big sin and shows that he is willing to say anything to gain political mileage, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said. "It's all a big lie ... dosa kering (wilful sinning). What Anwar has said is proof that he is prepared to lie and do anything to hurt the country to serve his own political interest and ambition," he said following Anwar's statement made in Indonesia accusing the Malaysian media of encouraging a negative perception of Indonesia. "I believe the media in Malaysia are responsible institutions and they have not exploited the (Malaysia-Indonesia) issues as what has been done by the Indonesian media," he said, adding that Malaysia and Indonesia had good relations at all levels. On another matter, Muhyiddin said Malaysia would be much better positioned without any high-profile case, particularly Anwar's sodomy trial. "If you ask me, personally, would you like this case to be in the Malaysian court? I wouldn't like this case to be in the Malaysian court. "It's true that if there are no such high-profile cases, then Malaysia will be much better positioned. And the sooner this matter is resolved, the better for us," he told reporters after delivering Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's keynote address at the International Herald Tribune Forum on alternative investment in Asia here. Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson had said on Monday that Anwar's trial was "a thorn" in Malaysia's otherwise good reputation, and urged the Prime Minister to intervene. "If you're a bold leader, you should get rid of things like this which are damaging your reputation," he had said. Muhyiddin stressed that Anwar's trial was not a government conspiracy and was bad for the country's image. "It is a case which is not being brought by any parties but (an) individual who felt that he has the right to be judged and, of course, the right to be protected by whatever law in the country, as far as the sodomy case is concerned," he said. To see more of the Asia News Network, go to http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/ Copyright (c) 2010, The Star, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / Asian News Network Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544). [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]