Sodomy II: Najib, Rosmah need not testify
Anwar has failed to show the relevancy and materiality of both Najib and Rosmah to the trial, ruled the judge.
(Free Malaysia Today) – Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has failed in his bid to haul up Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor to court to testify in his Sodomy II trial.
“After going through the affidavits and submissions, I found that the defendants have failed to show the relevancy and materiality of both Najib and Rosmah to the trial,” said Mohamed Zabidin.
Meanwhile, Anwar said he was disappointed with the court’s ruling.
“Of course, I’m disappointed because both of them (Najib and Rosmah) were clearly involved. We have evidence to support that…
“Our position is that this was planned. Now he (Najib) should come and deny it,” he said.
He added that the prosecution offered them as witnesses. “(So) if they are not relevant, why were they offered (as witnesses)?”
Anwar’s lead counsel Karpal Singh said that the defence would appeal against the decision at the Court of Appeal tomorrow.
He said he was also disappointed that the judge did not give any reasons for the decision to set aside the subpoenas.
“He ought to have given the reasons,” said Karpal.
‘Fishing expedition’
On Monday, Mohamad Zabidin heard submissions from the couple’s lawyers as well as from lawyers representing Anwar.
Anwar’s argument is that it was important to have Najib and Rosmah to testify in his trial so that he could find out what had transpired in a meeting involving the prime minister and the complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Anwar also wants Rosmah to explain about her meeting with Muhamad Rahimi Osman, a close friend of Saiful. (Rahimi was said to have gone to Rosmah to seek assistance on behalf of his friend.)
