U.S. Concerned Malaysian Ways Overcome Protest

WASHINGTON - United States (U.S.), Wednesday (13/07/2011) local time, voicing concern about how the Government of Malaysia to handle protests backed opposition over the weekend. The U.S. also said it would oversee the development situation in the country.

Riot police have fired tear gas and water cannon to end the rally on Saturday demanding reform of electoral rules and arrested more than 1,600 people, a protester even killed. "We've got some concerns," said a spokesman for the U.S. State Department told reporters Mark Toner. "We're siding with the people's right to freely express their democratic aspirations and their views freely. I would emphasize that it should be a peaceful demonstration," said Toner. "We will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Malaysia has promised to investigate allegations of police brutality. Prime Minister Najib Razak was not only defending, but instead praising the police, saying that the police have worked with professionals and rallies it is a tactic to tarnish the image of the country.

Groups of international human rights has strongly condemned the police's crackdown and urged the U.S. and other countries, especially member countries of ASEAN, to press Malaysia to ensure to act responsibly.

Malaysia has sought to build closer ties with the United States in the administration of President Barack Obama's efforts to reach out to Southeast Asia. Malaysia and the United States has long been a major trading partners, but the political relationship is not smooth, especially for 22 years under the leadership of Mahathir Mohamad, a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy.

The U.S. is also concerned about the treatment of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who has spent six years in prison and back on trial for charges of sodomy. Anwar said the allegations were politically motivated.