Obama, Malaysia prime minister talk human rights

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — President Barack Obama says he has raised the need for improved human rights in Malaysia with the country's prime minister.

Human rights groups have been urging Obama to meet with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim while he's in the country. Anwar recently was convicted sodomy charges that the U.S. and human rights groups call politically motivated.

Instead, Obama is sending national security advisor Susan Rice to meet Anwar on Monday.

Obama says just because he isn't meeting with Anwar doesn't indicate a lack of concern. He says Prime Minister Najib Razak would be the first to admit his country has work to do on civil liberties and political reform. But Obama says the U.S. does, too.

Obama was speaking at a press conference Sunday after meeting privately with the prime minister.