Anwar sodomy trial: Federal Court to hear trio of appeals Aug 8

(The Star) – The Federal Court here has set Aug 8 to hear the case management on a trio of appeals involving Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy case.

The Opposition leader’s lawyer, Ramkarpal Singh, told reporters the three matters to be ironed out included the defence’s appeal against Anwar’s sodomy conviction, the prosecution’s cross appeal for a heavier sentence and Anwar’s appeal to disqualify Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah from acting for the prosecution.

Co-counsel N. Surendren said the Court had indicated that it wanted to have the appeal heard by Sept this year.

“There should be no unusual hurrying of an appeal. Anwar’s lead council Sulaiman Abdullah is unwell, so we don’t see the need for urgency in addressing the matter,” he said.

When asked about the Court’s urgency on the appeal, DPP Datuk Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria said it was merely the defence’s perception that the matter was being expedited.

On Feb 27, Anwar, 67, filed a third application to disqualify Muhammad Shafee from leading the prosecution team in its appeal against Anwar’s acquittal on a charge of sodomy.

Anwar, in his supporting affidavit, stated that Muhammad Shafee was not a fit and proper person to lead the prosecution appeal team following his being fined by the advocates and solicitors disciplinary board.

Anwar had first challenged the legality of Muhammad Shafee’s appointment by the Attorney-General by fiat (authorisation) under Section 376 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

However, this was dismissed by the Federal Court on Nov 20, last year.

His second application to disqualify Muhammad Shafee, based on a statutory declaration (SD) by former Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim, was also dismissed by the Federal Court on Feb 11 this year.

Anwar was acquitted by the High Court on Jan 9,2012 for allegedly sodomising Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, his former aide, at Desa Damansara Condominium in Bukit Damansara on June 26, 2008.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned the acquittal and sentenced Anwar to five years prison for the offence.