PUTRAJAYA: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim yesterday challenged to debate anybody questioning the country's rule of law in connection with the detention of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the sodomy allegation by the latter's former aide.

Rais said unauthorised and unqualified people should not question Malaysia's rule of law.

"We, just like the United States, also have our own systems and procedures. The position of Kuala Lumpur in the rule of law is unquestionable."

Rais was responding to US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, who said the arrest of Anwar had raised "serious concerns".

McCormack also urged Kuala Lumpur to resolve the matter "in a manner that builds confidence in the impartial rule of law in Malaysia".
Rais said foreigners who questioned the former deputy prime minister's detention could "come and inspect the country's rule of law themselves".

"We want them to examine which part of the enforcement of the law is flawed or questionable and under what jurisdictions they are speaking against us.

"I would like to enter a debate with these people. I always welcome this for the sake of knowledge."

Earlier this month, Malaysia issued a formal protest to the United States over its earlier comments on the investigation into the sodomy allegations, accusing it of meddling in the country's internal affairs.

Two US rights groups had also expressed concerns about the arrest and said they hoped the investigation into the sodomy claims was not used as a political tool to silence Anwar.

Japan, meanwhile, will seek information on Anwar's arrest during an Asean meeting next week.

Anwar was freed on police bail on Thursday after being held in custody for a day. He had refused to provide a blood sample for DNA tests.

Rais described the accusation against Anwar as "purely a criminal case".

"If they (critics) are in the dark, we will do the necessary so that they will understand better. The rule of law of this country must be recognised."

Rais said all Malaysian consulates and embassies had been directed to update themselves on the case so that they could explain if there were queries in their respective countries.

He agreed with Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar that Anwar had nothing to worry about if he was innocent.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said there was no need for the US to interfere in the case.

"If it were any other person, I don't think the US would have interfered. We want justice and fair investigations done as in any other normal case involving normal people, so there's no need for McCormack to teach us this," Hishammuddin said after chairing his ministry's post-cabinet meeting yesterday.

He said there appeared to be efforts to shift public attention away from the core issue, which was the police's duty to investigate a report of a crime.

"People must understand the real issue because there are efforts to cloud this. The police are just doing their job."

Meanwhile, the MCA Youth executive council urged the Pakatan Rakyat adviser to cooperate with the police by giving his DNA sample.

"Anwar, should give his full cooperation," Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said.