KUALA LUMPUR: The sodomy trial of Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been postponed for two weeks following a dispute over the involvement of the attorney-general in the case.

The defence, led by counsel Sulaiman Abdullah, argued that Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who signed a certificate ordering that the case be transferred to the High Court, was not supposed to be involved in the case.

On July 1, Anwar lodged a police report against Gani and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, accusing them of fabricating evidence against him in the much publicised "black eye" incident in 1998.

"Gani is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency on this matter.

"The prime minister had said that the A-G would not be involved in any way in this case," said Sulaiman.
The certificate, submitted to court by lead prosecutor Datuk Mohd Yusuf Zainal Abiden, was signed and filed yesterday morning.

Yusuf told the court the transfer was needed because the case was a matter of public interest.

"It involved a person of national and international prominence," he said.

Sulaiman, in stressing that there was no need to transfer the case, told judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah that the defence had confidence in her.

"The issues raised can be dealt with here. The size of this court is just as big as the High Court. We have no qualms about you hearing the case. You are capable and experienced."

Komathy smiled and replied: "I have 26 years of experience."

Sulaiman also said the prosecution informed him of the plan to transfer the case only 10 minutes before proceedings.

"Until yesterday, they gave us no decision. Only yesterday afternoon did Yusuf call to tell me that they may have the case transferred."

Yusuf, however, pointed out that this was discussed at the earlier proceedings. "We have been mulling this for some time."

Komathy granted defence two weeks to prepare for submissions on the issues raised but Yusuf raised an objection, saying that adjournment was too long.

"In every case you've appeared in, the judges have paid tribute to you for being a very fair prosecutor. I am sure you will not object. Let them take time to do the research. I am giving them the time," she said.

She then set Sept 24 for remention of the case.

Anwar claimed trial to committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature on his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, in a Kuala Lumpur condominium in June.

He was represented by a nine-member team which included Sulaiman, R. Sivarasa, Sankara Nair, Amer Hamzah Arshad and Latheefa Koya.

Yusuf was assisted by Datuk Nordin Hassan, Hanafiah Zakaria, Wong Chiang Kiat and Farhan Read.