Malaysia's Anwar postpones reform campaign over arrest fears

      KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (AFP) - Sacked Malaysian deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday postponed the
      launch of his national reform campaign because he feared arrest, a spokesman said.

      Anwar, 51, who has been under police investigation since being dismissed on Wednesday by Prime Minister Mahathir
      Mohamad, had planned to visit his home bastion of Penang in northern Malaysia.

      He had vowed to tour the nation to campaign for political reform in a challenge to Mahathir, his former mentor.

      Anwar spokesman Adlin Murtadza Zadrib said the ousted finance supremo now had heightened fears of being
      detained.

      "It is postponed for now. We are afraid he may be nabbed for addressing a public gathering," Adlin told reporters
      outside the Anwar residence.

      After Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister and finance minister serious allegations of sexual impropriety and
      endangering national security have been aired.

      Police have said Anwar is under investigation.

      But supporters have backed Anwar, who says the allegations are part of a top-level conspiracy, and opposition leaders
      have complained at his treatment.

      Anwar on Saturday met Lim Kit Siang, head of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and main parliamentary opposition
      leader. Lim's son Lim Guan Eng, also a DAP MP, was recently jailed for 18 months for sedition and publishing false
      news.

      Lim called for an emergency meeting of parliament on the sacking.

      He also proposed a royal commission of inquiry into "the serious allegations against Anwar" including sexual misconduct
      and treason, and Anwar's counter-allegations.

      "I am not here to defend Anwar (but) he is entitled to fair play," said Lim. "We are old friends and fellow
      parliamentarians," he added.

      "We have just come to visit Anwar and to discuss with him my proposal that there should be an emergency parliament
      in view of the gravity of the political crisis as a result of the unprecedented sacking of Anwar as deputy prime minister
      and finance minister."

      Other opposition leaders have also visited Anwar in the past two days.

NSTPi