Shipley Must Take Sides In Malaysian Fight For Democracy

Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperon Keith Locke has accused Jenny Shipley of “selling short” the Malaysian democracy movement.

“We should take sides, joining US Vice President Al Gore in praising the “brave people” of Malaysia,” said Mr Locke

“Shipley might dismiss Gore’s comments as “megaphone diplomacy”, but the Malaysian democracy movement will surely welcome them.

“To restrict our protest to a few private words to Mahathir Mohamed is selling the people short.

“We should call for Anwar’s freedom, not just whisper in Mahathir’s ear the need for a ‘fair trial’. The arrest and charging of Anwar was orchestrated by Mahathir,”, said Mr Locke.