KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 ― Putrajaya has defended Umno-linked lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah's reappointment as Malaysia's representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), saying the lawyer has vast experience in the field of human rights.
In a written reply to Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Shafee is highly qualified to handle issues discussed by the AICHR as he has been Malaysia's envoy since October 21, 2009.
“The appointment of Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah is based on his vast experience in the legal field and human rights.
“This experience makes him well-versed to the political dynamics as well as the human rights issues on a national and regional level as well as understanding his responsibility to the Malaysian government in these issues,” Anifah said in the reply from yesterday.
Opposition party members have asked that Shafee step down as chairman of AICHR due to his close relationship with Umno.
Shafee was also appointed to lead the prosecution in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial and has been making headlines for attacking the opposition leader, despite his limited role as a public prosecutor-by-fiat for the case.
Last month, the Federal Court upheld the Court of Appeal’s conviction of Anwar and sentenced him to five years behind bars.
Shafee has been giving interviews to local dailies insisting that there was no conspiracy behind the case and slammed Anwar’s supporters for perpetuating what he claimed was a ploy to gain sympathy.
Shafee also ridiculed Anwar’s family for calling his jailing a sacrifice, claiming a real sacrifice would have required him to plead guilty from the start.
