Ibrahim speaks to parliament in Malaysia

The Shanghai News.NetMonday 13th October, 2008

For the first time in more than ten years, Malaysia's former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has made a speech to the country's Parliament.Mr Anwar, once a member of the ruling party, is now on the opposition benches as the member for the northern state of Penang.

In his first speech as head of the opposition People's Alliance, Mr Anwar criticised the budget put forward by the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.Mr Anwar used to be a member of the Government until a decade ago, when he annoyed the then prime minister, Mahathir Mohamed.After falling out with Mahatir, Anwar was charged over alleged criminal offences, including sodomy.The sodomy charges were later overturned, but he now faces fresh allegations which he says are politically motivated.