Judge to decide on extra proof for Anwar trial
It was the first lively exchange between the defence and prosecution in the lead-up to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy II trial.
While wrapping up the defence team's bid to get more proof from the prosecution, Anwar's lawyer Sivarasa Rasiah accused the prosecution of actively trying to bury important records that could prove the opposition leader's innocence, just as it did in the first sodomy trial 10 years ago.
“The danger of suppression of evidence happened in Sukma's case and is happening in this case,” Sivarasa charged today, referring to medical reports on Anwar's Indonesian adopted brother Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja, which came to light years later and helped clear his name of the crime.
“This application is to prevent that from happening. We can see the resistance,” the Subang MP added, provoking an outcry from the head of prosecution Datuk Yusof Zainal Abiden.
Yusof, the Solicitor-General II, denied Sivarasa's claim and insisted that if the view were true, the defence would not have received anything from the prosecution.
“In this case, we have supplied documents so suppression of evidence does not exist,” he said huffily, prompting Sivarasa to stand up quickly to raise a point.
But the High Court judge must have caught a certain look on Sivarasa's face, because he immediately stepped in and cut off both parties.
“Point taken. You're just saying there should be no suppression of evidence, OK?” said Justice Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah.
The federal lawmaker, however, was dissatisfied with the judge's action and later told reporters that the exchange between him and Yusof “affirms our contention that there is an active political conspiracy” targeted at the PKR leader.
