Obama defends Malaysia rights stance

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: BBC

US President Barack Obama has defended his decision not to meet Malaysia's jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim during his trip to Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Obama said the decision did not indicate a lack of concern, and said that he and Prime Minister Najib Razak had spoken about human rights.

The US had condemned Mr Anwar's sodomy conviction as politically motivated.

Meanwhile, the two leaders have agreed to upgrade diplomatic ties to a "comprehensive partnership".


Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27176944

[Jesus Malverde]

1. Obama Says Not Meeting Anwar Ibrahim Is No Snub to Human Rights in Malaysia

U.S. President Barack Obama pledged Sunday to encourage Malaysia to make progress on human-rights issues, saying that his decision not to meet with the chief opposition leader in this Southeast Asian country didn't indicate a lack of concern.

The president held talks with Prime Minister Najib Razak during a two-night stay aimed at deepening relations with Malaysia, but he will be leaving a meeting with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to his national security adviser, Susan Rice.

The administration didn't offer a reason for declining a meeting with Mr. Anwar but said the president's schedule in Malaysia was packed.

"The fact that I haven't met with Mr. Anwar in and of itself isn't indicative of our lack of concern, given the fact that there are a lot of people I don't meet with and opposition leaders that I don't meet with," Mr. Obama said at a joint news conference with Mr. Najib. "And that doesn't mean that I'm not concerned about them."

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304788404579526722087490210

[malthaussen]

2. Somehow, I don't find your "concern" touching, Mr Obama.

But I'm sure it's very Presidential of you.

-- Mal