Anwar to enter defense on Aug 22
(Malaysian Digest) – The High Court today has set next Monday for Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to enter his defense on a sodomy charge.
The court also allowed his legal team a chance to interview six more witnesses.
Justice Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah said Anwar will have to enter defense next Monday no matter what the outcome of the interview.
“Whatever the outcome of the interview, come Monday you will have to enter defense,” said Zabidin.
Only 19 have been interviewed so far by Anwar’s legal team from 25 names which included Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who both had refused to be interviewed on the reason that the move was politically motivated.
On May 16, Mohamad Zabidin ordered Anwar to enter his defense after ruling that the latter’s former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the complainant in the case, was a truthful and credible witness.
Anwar, 63, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court on Aug 7, 2008, to committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature at the Desa Damansara Condominium in Bukit Damansara between 3:10pm and 4:30pm on June 26 of the same year.
Earlier nearly 20 people from Gerakan Anti Liwat 2.0 (Geli) protested outside the Jalan Duta Court demanding Anwar who is also the Permatang Pauh MP to not continuously delay his sodomy trial.
The group was seen chanting out “reformasi”, “dilarang meliwat” (sodomy not permitted), “sekiranya meliwat kena tangkap dengan polis” (sodomites must be arrested), “sekiranya meliwat masuk penjara” (sodomites must be jailed) and “hancur liwat” (eradicate sodomy) as Anwar arrived at the court.
Members of the group also brought banners written with “Justice for Saiful”, “We Will Be With You Forever’, “Justice Delay Justice Deny”, “Selamatkan Malaysia Dari Peliwat 2.0” Save Malaysia from Sodomite 2.0), and “Mahkamah (Keadilan) Dipermainkan Peliwat 2.0” [Court (Justice) Got Played by Soodomite 2.0].
