Sodomy II: Anwar’s lawyers demand action over leaked submissions

(The Star) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s lawyers want those responsible for leaking and publishing the prosecution’s submissions over its application for the Opposition leader to submit his DNA for profiling, to be hauled for contempt of court.

The submissions were published in the New Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia dailies and online portal Malaysia Today, before they were heard in court Monday.

The court reminded parties that case was ongoing and that parties should not do anything which could affect the trial, as doing so could amount to contempt.

On Friday, the High Court here ordered the prosecution and defence in the Anwar’s sodomy trial to make submissions on Monday on two prosecution applications, one of which is to order Anwar to provide a DNA sample.

Justice Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah gave the order after the head of the prosecution, Solicitor-General Datuk Mohamed Yusof Zainal Abiden, made the applications at the end of the prosecution’s case.

One of the applications was for the court to use its powers under the Evidence Act 1950 to compel Anwar to provide a DNA sample for analysis.

The other was to review the decision of the court on March 8 not to allow three items to be tendered as exhibits following a trial-within-a-trial.

Anwar, 63, has claimed trial to performing carnal intercourse against the order of nature on his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan at a condominium unit in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, on June 26, 2008.