Anwar’s lawyer in ‘critical’ condition, defence team in disarray

(The Malaysian Insider) KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy II hearing this morning encountered further delays due to the health of his lawyer and has been postponed to 2pm today.

High Court judge Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah rejected the opposition leader's bid for more time to appoint a new lead lawyer to replace an ill Sulaiman Abdullah.

The veteran lawyer, who has 30 years' experience, fell sick two weeks ago following episodes of “giddiness” and was warded at the government-run Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

His condition remains “critical”, Anwar told reporters in the courtroom this morning.

The opposition leader's chief counsel, who is also representing toppled Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin in his bid to regain office, last night told Anwar he was too sick to continue his court cases.