BANGKOK, Thailand — While her father languishes in a Malaysian jail convicted of corruption and on trial for sodomy, 19-year-old Nurul Izzah Anwar lobbies for his freedom, inspired by Nelson Mandela and Che Guevera, and believing in Islamic teachings that homosexuality is wrong.

Wrapped in traditional Muslim scarf and clothes which allow only her face and hands to peek out from under cloth, Nurul said her father, Anwar Ibrahim, is innocent of all allegations and fell foul of the government because he opposed ruling officials who may have committed crimes.

Anwar denied all charges of wrongdoing. Yet in April 1999, Anwar, 51, started a six-year prison sentence on four counts of corruption.

Anwar was finance minister, and deputy prime minister, until his initial arrest and imprisonment in September 1998. He is currently fighting a criminal charge of sodomizing his family's male driver, a crime punishable by a maximum 20 years in jail and a whipping.

His family, meanwhile, has tried to rally Malaysians and international opinion against Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad.

Anwar's daughter, Nurul, has met political leaders in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and elsewhere, and spoken at various newsconferences.

She also enjoys "moral support" from the American ambassador in Malaysia.

The seemingly innocent-faced teenager apparently makes an impression on many who oppose the prime minister, or feel Nurul's father was wrongly imprisoned on trumped-up charges.

Nurul's own life, aimed at studying electrical engineering at a university, has rapidly changed to become an international activist campaigning for her father's freedom, while embracing ancient traditions.

For example, referring to her personal preference favoring a strict Islamic dress code, she said in an interview during her stopover on May 23 in Bangkok, "I feel as a Muslim, it's my religion and I feel I'm big enough and responsible enough to take up this responsibility, and it's the right thing for me to do. So, why not?

"It does not mean it stops me from exerting my rights, from speaking up. I mean, it's a sign of modesty and respect for my own self, and there's nothing wrong with that.

"It gives me, sort of, a sense of modesty in my own self, in approaching people, and I think it's very good in sort of building up your inner self."

Though Anwar and his family strenuously deny all charges of his sodomy and his conviction for corruption, they say the homosexual allegations hurt them the most because Malaysia is a majority Muslim nation where such behavior is considered extremely taboo.

Prime Minister Mahathir has also angrily denounced gays and lesbians, who have, in turn, tried to gain acceptance in their Southeast Asian nation.

When asked about her own views, Nurul replied, "You have to understand, in Islam it is wrong. Sodomy is wrong. But it is worse still when you actually allege someone to have committed a sodomy act."

She added, "As a Muslim, homosexuality is not allowed. But I don't think there should be any discrimination in that sense. You should give equal access to everyone. But as a Muslim, homosexuality is wrong.

"I don't think that I should be a spokesperson for the gays in Malaysia, but I don't think there should be any abuses for anyone for their [sexual preferences].

"You are asking a very, very difficult, very controversial question here. However, it is wrong. And I find that my father was a Muslim leader, and it was a great onslaught against his character being alleged to have had committed a sodomy act.

"I am a Muslim, you cannot expect me to say otherwise. I believe in the religious teachings of my religion."

International support to release Anwar from prison continues, despite the Malaysian government's attempts to stifle freedom of the press on reporting various aspects of his trial.

Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, meanwhile, leads a newly formed political party. The family also works closely with non-government organizations and political opposition groups.

Anwar's daughter also plays a high profile role.

"I meet up more with the diplomats. As you know, (US Secretary of State) Madeleine Albright gave my mother an audience when she was there in Kuala Lumpur. And the American ambassador met my mom in the last two weeks."

Asked what support the American ambassador gave to her family, Nurul replied, "I think moral support. And also the issue that he raised, that basically America is watching this Malaysian case very closely, especially regarding my father's trial.

"And that gives us a sort of hope that we're not alone in this."

In a July 1999 speech on the "Pursuit of Universal Values," US Ambassador to Malaysia B. Lynn Pascoe, said, "In the six months I have been in Malaysia, I have been impressed by the closeness of the US-Malaysian relationship. Malaysians have repeatedly emphasized to me the importance of our friendship.

"It is obvious we generally view the world through the same prism and cooperate in a wide variety of ways toward common ends on global and regional security, trade and investment, education, law enforcement, and many other areas," the US ambassador added.

Anwar's daughter, however, has not visited the United States.

"No, because of the 'foreign bogey'," she said. "But, I mean, the States have been very supportive."

Nurul said her expression, "foreign bogey," refers to Prime Minister Mahathir's anti-American conspiracy theories.

"Mahathir is using it, saying that they (opposition groups) get foreign funds from America, and the Americans want to colonize Malaysia."

Increasingly drawn into a new world of realpolitik, Nurul has started reading books about famous political personalities.

"I love literature, so I have to start reading up on political leaders. I started a bit with Nelson Mandela and Che Guevera, but I have not started yet on women leaders, so I'll work on that."

Rolling her eyes at the mention of Che, the late Cuban guerrilla fighter, she said, "He was a real revolutionary." Laughing, she added, "So, in the Malaysian context it would be a bit difficult to fit it in.

"But you can pick up from his charisma, and his courage, and also from his convictions.

"And Nelson Mandela, what comes through is his willingness to destroy any sense of bitterness within himself. And basically he's a very, very loving man."

Nurul said she would have a "private meeting" with Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan "and his wife" on Wednesday May 24 before returning to Malaysia.

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Richard S. Ehrlich has a Master's Degree in Journalism from Columbia University, and is the co-author of the classic book of epistolary history, "HELLO MY BIG BIG HONEY!" -- Love Letters to Bangkok Bar Girls and Their Revealing Interviews.

Richard S. Ehrlich's Asia news, non-fiction book, plus hundreds of photographs are available at his website http://www.oocities.org/asia_correspondent