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World - Asia/Pacific

Chronology of Malaysian political turbulence

January 16, 1999
Web posted at: 4:27 a.m. EST (0927 GMT)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Reuters) -- Following is a chronology of events leading up to a Malaysian court's rejection of a request by sacked deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, detained since September on criminal charges, to be released on bail.

May-June 1998 - Tension mounts between Anwar and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as the deputy prime minister repeatedly calls for political reform and an end to cronyism.

June 24 - Mahathir promotes adviser Daim Zainuddin to the cabinet with more say over economic policy, undercutting Anwar as finance minister

July/August - Two influential newspaper editors and a top private television station chief, seen as close to Anwar, quit under pressure as Mahathir tightens grip over local media.

August 27 - GDP figures confirm Malaysia is in its first recession for 13 years.

September 2 - Anwar refuses an ultimatum from Mahathir to step down. Mahathir sacks Anwar.

September 3 - Anwar says he was the victim of a conspiracy at the highest level. Police submit four affidavits with allegations of sexual misconduct and other possible crimes by Anwar.

September 4 - UMNO party expels Anwar. Mahathir says Anwar was sacked from the cabinet because he was "not suitable."

September 5 - Malaysia's police chief says authorities have evidence Anwar tried to interfere with investigations into allegations of criminal conduct.

September 19 - Anwar's adopted brother, Sukma Dermawan, and a former speechwriter, Munawar Anees, plead guilty in court to being sodomized by him and are sentenced to six months in jail.

September 20 - Anwar leads thousands of supporters to the national mosque, then to Merdeka (Freedom) Square in central Kuala Lumpur where they call for Mahathir to step down. Protesters converge on Mahathir's official residence where riot police fire tear gas and water cannon. Police arrest Anwar at his home.

September 21 - Police fire tear gas and water cannons to break up demonstrations by several thousand protesters outside a court house where they had expected Anwar to be arraigned.

September 22 - Mahathir says he has incontrovertible proof that Anwar had committed sodomy and planned to incite Indonesian- style riots to topple him.

September 24 - Authorities ban Anwar supporters from holding anti- government rallies at his suburban home.

September 25 - Riot police enter the national mosque to break up protesters shouting slogans against Mahathir.

September 29 - Anwar arrives in court with a black eye and says police beat him unconscious after he was arrested and denied him medical attention for five days. He pleads not guilty to five corruption and four sodomy charges. Anwar's adopted brother and a former speechwriter, convicted of being sodomized by Anwar, decide to retract their guilty pleas.

September 30 - Anwar pleads not guilty to an additional sodomy charge. Private doctor backs Anwar's allegation that he was assaulted while in custody. Mahathir says Anwar could have provoked police to hit him.

October 2 - Leading world figures condemn the reported police assault on Anwar.

October 5 - Anwar arrives in Kuala Lumpur High Court wearing a neck brace. Trial set to start on November 2 for four of the five corruption charges. Anwar's request for bail rejected.

October 23 - Police break up protest in the capital as Mahathir presents 1999 budget to parliament.

October 24 - Some 2,000 protesters clash with police in the capital in first eruption of violence. Two policemen and a dozen protesters sustain injuries.

October 30 - Anwar asks the Court of Appeal to release him on bail.

November 2 - Anwar's criminal trial opens amid heavy security at High Court. Judge Augustine Paul deals a string of setbacks to Anwar, dismissing his request for dismissal of charges on technical grounds and rejecting a request by foreign rights groups and legal experts for special observer status.

November 17 - Malaysia accuses United States of inciting lawless demonstrators to overthrow the government.

November 21 - Police fire water cannon to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters in capital.

December 2 - Anwar's former driver, Azizan, stands by allegations he made in 1997 accusing Anwar of sodomizing him.

December 16 - Anwar's lawyers read a letter by Anwar's adopted brother Sukma Darmawan that says he was tortured by police into lying that Anwar sodomized him.

January 7 - Police chief resigns to take responsibility over Anwar's injuries in custody.

January 8 - Mahathir names outgoing foreign minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as deputy prime minister replacing Anwar. Anwar sues Mahathir for injuries suffered in police custody.

January 13 - Judge Augustine agrees to amend four corruption charges against Anwar, narrowing the focus of the charges.

January 14 - Judge Augustine rules that evidence relating to sexual misconduct and sodomy introduced during two-and-a-half months of testimony is irrelevant, including evidence Anwar's lawyers said proved he did not commit sodomy and adultery. Judge adjourns trial to January 26.

January 16 - Court of Appeal rejects Anwar's request for bail.

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