Anwar defence accuses trial judge of lying
MALAYSIA: The Judge hearing Malaysian opposition Leader Anwar
Ibrahim’s sodomy trial was accused of lying Wednesday, in a blistering
attack as the defence sought to disqualify him from the case.
Anwar, who faces 20 years in jail if convicted of illicit sexual
relations with a young former aide, has condemned the allegations as a
political conspiracy to sideline the opposition.
He has accused High Court Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah of refusing to
rein in “biased” media coverage including the publishing of a photo
taken during a closed-door hearing at the apartment where the encounter
allegedly took place. “Your lordship can’t demonstrate that you are
impartial,” defence counsel Karpal Singh said, telling the judge he was
wrong not to caution the Utusan Malaysia daily which ran the picture and
an earlier suggestive headline.
The photo showed Anwar’s accuser, 24-year-old Mohamad Saiful Bukhari
Azlan, gesturing towards a bed in the apartment. Karpal said the judge
was wrong in arguing that the bed had been mentioned in open court.
“With due respect, your lordship didn’t tell the truth and that
translates into your lordship has lied,” he said.
“Your lordship has no alernative but to step down.” Lead prosecutor
Yusof Zainal Abiden hit back, saying the defence was being “insulting”
and insisting that the bed had been mentioned in public hearings.
“To say your lordship has lied is a very strong word,” he told the
court. “Lawyers can defend their client without fear or favour but to
use strong language against the judge is unacceptable.”
Mohamad Zabidin ordered the case to be adjourned until February 18 to
allow him time to consider the arguments over whether he should recuse
himself as the presiding judge. Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday, AFP |