Tuesday June 30, 2009
Court to hear Anwar’s sodomy trial appeal today
By M. MAGESWARI and LISA GOH
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal will hear Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s appeal over the transfer order of his sodomy trial from the Sessions Court to the High Court today.
Anwar’s lead counsel Sulaiman Abdullah told the court that his client had to attend Parliament sitting yesterday which was expected to debate on the Judges Code of Ethics Bill.
Lead prosecutor, Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, also applied for the case to be adjourned to file certain papers.
Court of Appeal Justice Abdul Hamid Embong, who sat with Justices Abu Samah Nordin and Jeffrey Tan Kok Wha, granted the adjournment and fixed 2.30pm today for the appeal.
On March 10, Sessions Court judge Rozana Ali Yusoff transferred to the High Court the trial against Anwar for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 24, at a condominium in Bukit Damansara on June 26 last year.
The case had originated in the Sessions Court before judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah last year but Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail later signed a certificate to transfer the case to the High Court.
On Nov 7, Komathy ruled that the transfer certificate was invalid.
However, in an appeal on March 5, High Court Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah ruled that the Sessions judge “had erred”, and ordered the case be moved.
Tomorrow, Anwar’s application to compel the prosecution to provide him with certain documents for the preparation of his defence will be heard before Justice Mohamad Zabidin.
The High Court will hear Anwar’s application to strike out the sodomy charge on July 8. The trial has been fixed for the same day.
Some 30 prosecution witnesses are expected to testify in the sodomy trial, including Mohd Saiful, investigating officer DSP Jude Pereira, Kuala Lumpur Hospital doctors and the condominium staff.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Anwar, 62, said he respected the “due process of the court”.
On another matter, he also expressed confidence that PAS would be able to retain its Manek Urai seat in the coming by-election despite personal attacks on PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat.
“This shows that they (Barisan Nasional) feel threatened by Nik Aziz.
“I don’t think it is a healthy practice. He is a well-respected figure,” he said.
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