SHAH ALAM –  The Australian government does not intend to prejudge the legal proceedings in the sodomy trial involving PKR  advisor Anwar Ibrahim, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Penny Williams said.

She said Australia and Malaysia shared a common interest in upholding the principle of the rule of law and that the due process of law should be allowed to take place.

"I believe the relationship between Australia and Malaysia has reached the level of maturity where we can address issues that arise through open dialogue.

Aussie MPs free to air views

"Australia is a robust democracy in which parliamentarians are free to express their personal views," Williams said in a letter to Malaysia Makkal Sakti president RS Thanenthiran, a copy of which was made available to Bernama Saturday.

Williams was responding to a memorandum submitted by Makkal Sakti to the Australian Embassy on Feb 17 to protest against the call made by more than 50 Australian lawmakers urging Malaysia to drop the charge against Anwar.

Protest against sodomy case

It was reported early this month that more than 50 Australian lawmakers had lodged a formal protest over the issue.

A member of the governing Labor party, Michael Danby, handed the protest note to Malaysian High Commissioner Salman Ahmad in Canberra.

Williams said the call by the Australian lawmakers were their personal views. — Bernama