PETALING JAYA, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today he respected PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for the latter's criticism of the interference by Australian MPs in the sodomy trial of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said Abdul Hadi had adopted the right stand because the issue involved national interest and the image of the country.

"When it involves national interest, any leader, whether he is from the government or opposition, should adopt a common stand," he told reporters after officiating at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) SAM-100Plus Awards ceremony, here.

In the matter of safeguarding the national image, the stand adopted by Abdul Hadi should be emulated by all other opposition leaders, he said.

Abdul Hadi, in criticising the request by 50 Australian MPs to drop the sodomy charge against Anwar, said yesterday that PAS wanted the matter to be resolved according to the country's judicial system without any influence from foreign elements.

In BATU PAHAT, Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said Abdul Hadi's statement indicated that PAS did not wish to be involved in any attempt to get foreigners to interfere in the case.

"Abdul Hadi's statement shows he understands how dangerous it can be for foreigners to become involved in domestic matters," he told reporters after launching a death benevolent scheme in the Batu Pahat parliamentary constituency at Sekolah Kebangsaan Parit Bilal.