Digest on Malaysian News

The third day of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial saw his accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who campaigned for Barisan Nasional in the 12th general election in 2008, saying that he had idolised the Opposition leader.




Mohd Saiful said he decided to work for Anwar as a personal aide because he had idolised him as a child since he was a charismatic leader.

When he wanted to resign this post, Anwar tried to convince him to stay on by offering to sponsor his education, Mohd Saiful told the High Court here on Friday.

“At that time I did not object to the offer. Then after the meeting (with Anwar) several hours later, he sent me an e-mail, saying, ‘Thank you for agreeing to continue (your) service’,” he said.

Earlier, he told the court that he did not pass motion for two days after the alleged sodomy incident on June 26, 2008.

Mohd Saiful, 24, said this upon questioning by lead prosecutor Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, who had wanted to know whether he had passed motion between the incident and when he was examined by the KL Hospital doctor.

Anwar, 63, has claimed trial to sodomising his former personal aide at the Desa Damansara Condominium in Bukit Damansara on June 26, 2008.

He is charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code and could be sentenced up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

To another question by DPP Mohd Yusof, Mohd Saiful said he informed the Hospital Pusrawi doctor that he had pains in his stomach and anus upon being queried by him.

He had gone to Pusrawi before he was finally directed to the KL Hospital.

The Pusrawi doctor wanted to insert something into his anus during the examination, Mohd Saiful said, so he decided to be frank with him and confessed to the alleged sodomy. The doctor stopped the examination when told this.

Mohd Saiful said the doctor also did not reveal any results of his examination during the period.

At the outset of the court proceedings Friday, Mohd Saiful identified 11 samples taken from him, among them swabs taken from below his tongue, his nipples, body, perianal region, private parts, as well as high and low rectal swabs, and blood for DNA profiling.

When these samples, sealed in containers, were checked by the defence team, there were whispers and laughter from the public gallery.

Questioned by DPP Mohd Yusof, Mohd Saiful said his name was stated on each envelope used to keep the containers.

When his blood samples were identified, Mohd Saiful kept looking at those seated, including the family members of the Opposition leader, in the public gallery.

When questioned, Mohd Saiful said photographs of his body, face, private parts, back and legs were also taken when examinations were conducted on him.

He said he had handed over his branded long-sleeved blue shirt which he wore on the day of alleged sodomy incident and KY Jelly lubricant to an investigating officer at the KL Hospital on June 29, 2008.

He said he immediately signed a form when he delivered those items that day.

He said he had also later given a long-sleeved green shirt which he had used when lodging the police report, a pair of black slacks which he wore on the day of incident, and two sets of underwear to the police in the course of their investigation.

When asked by DPP Mohd Yusof, he said the black slacks were a gift from Anwar.

Later Friday, the trial judge, the prosecution and the defence revisited the Desa Damansara condominium where the alleged sodomy took place. Among those who visited the Unit 11-5-1 of the condominium were Justice Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, Anwar and Mohd Saiful.

They were there at noon and left about 50 minutes later.

It was the second visit to the condominium following a request by the defence. The parties in the trial visited the same place Thursday.

The trial has been adjourned to 9.30am Monday, when Mohd Saiful will be cross-examined.

Blow-by-blow account of today's proceedings:

3.20pm: PKR strategic director Tian Chua says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim supporters will hold a gathering every day, starting next Monday, throughout the proceedings. He tells a press conference that the gatherings are to show support for the embattled Opposition leader and to “fight for justice.”

Meanwhile Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Zakaria Pagan says the police are ever ready to handle illegal gatherings and will take stern action against them.

3.15pm: Heavy rain outside court complex, FRU trucks leave the area. Court has been adjourned to 9.30am next Monday, and will kick off with the defence team’s cross-examination of accuser Mohd Saiful.

2.37pm: No protest march by Anwar’s supporters after Friday prayers from Masjid Wilayah. PKR strategic director Tian Chua instead gives a short speech, and leaflets are distributed. Tian Chua says the march has been cancelled since the trial has been adjourned to next Monday. Hundreds had gathered by about 2.24pm to listen to Tian Chua’s speech; they dispersed at about 2.33pm.

12.50pm: Judge, Saiful, police forensics personnel, Anwar and his lawyers leave Desa Damansara Condo. When approached by the media, Anwar says he is already late for Friday prayers.

12.09pm: Anwar and his lawyers arrive at the condominium

12noon: Trial judge and prosecution team arrive at Desa Damansara Condominium for second visit. No sign of Anwar yet.

11.15am: Court adjourns for second visit to the Desa Damansara Condominium.

11.10am: Trial judge rules that he did not see any contempt in front page picture of the Utusan Malaysia featuring Saiful pointing at a bed in the master bedroom of an apartment unit in Desa Damansara Condominium where the alleged act of sodomy took place.

11.00am: Saiful said he decided to work for Anwar as a personal aide because he idolised Anwar as a child and because Anwar is a charismatic leader. He added that Anwar counter offered him to sponsor his education when he wanted to resign his job.

10.55am: Saiful confirms a CCTV recording showed by the prosecution of him entering and leaving the condominium on the day of the incident

10.55am: Reporters and photographers camp out at Desa Damansara Condominium in preparation for another court visit. Police presence there is also heavy.

10.54am: Saiful said he had not passed motion for two days since the alleged incident when questioned by lead prosecutor Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden.

10.50am: Saiful tells court that he revealed "everything" to a Pusrawi Hospital doctor when he was examined.

10.45am: Saiful says Anwar gave him the black slacks as a gift

10.40am: Saiful says among items given to the police were two pairs or black and grey underwear, a green G2000 shirt, a black slacks and a tube of KY lubricant

10.10am: FRU and police trucks with a water cannon arrive at court ahead of a planned protest march by Anwar's supporters after Friday prayers at 2pm from Masjid Wilayah.

9.45am: Trial starts with accuser Saiful Bukhari verifying oral swabs in a container that was taken from him. Among the swabs taken are from under his tongue, body, private part, high rectal and blood for DNA profiling.

9.43am: Anwar’s other daughters arrive. Things are a little quiet with no supporters around. Despite that there is still heavy police presence.

9.38am: Lead defence counsel Karpal Singh arrives with son Gobind Singh Deo.

9.28am: Anwar Ibrahim arrives with his wife and one of his daughters.

Recommended reading:
* Saiful Bukhari Azlan vs Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial - Day 2
* Saiful Bukhari Azlan vs Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial - Day 1


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