PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today took steps to clarify a news report where he was seen as distancing himself from the controversial sodomy trial involving Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim.

According to PAS, Abdul Hadi’s remarks, made yesterday in Terengganu, was misinterpreted by national news agency Bernama .

NONE Bernama had reported yesterday that the Islamic opposition party slammed the interference by Australian lawmakers in the sodomy trial of PKR advisor Anwar.

“Abdul Hadi said as a partner in the opposition coalition, he wanted the matter to be resolved according to the country's judicial system without influence from foreign elements,” said the report .

Abdul Hadi’s political secretary Dr Shamsuri Mokhtar today said that his boss did not “criticise” the actions of the Australian lawmakers.

'Shortcomings in our judicial system'

According to Shamsuri, the PAS leader had stated a general principle iwhere he disagreed with interference by outside parties in the affairs of a sovereign nation.

“However, Abdul Hadi stressed that there are indeed shortcomings in our judicial and legal system which have led to the protests from external parties. These shortcomings must be addressed to bring back justice.”

Last week, over 50 Australian MPs lodged a formal protest against the trial of the former deputy premier which began earlier this month, urging Malaysia to drop the case as it would hurt the country's image.

They said that observers of Malaysia "find it difficult to believe that a leading opposition voice could be charged with sodomy a second time" and noted the allegations came after Anwar made major gains in the 2008 polls.

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