KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution's failure to inform defence lawyers of the plan to transfer the sodomy trial to the High Court was a sign of a "trial by ambush", said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Flanked by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and their two daughters, Anwar said the prosecution clearly did not have the confidence needed to prosecute him.

"Until yesterday evening, we were not given any notification of the possibility of a transfer. In this month of Ramadan, I hope they do the right thing and withdraw the charge against me," the opposition leader said after proceedings yesterday.

Touching on his plans to take over the government on Sept 16, Anwar said he was communicating with the members of parliament who are on a study trip to Taipei. "If they need me, I will fly there to meet them."

Sentul police chief Assistant Commissioner Zakaria Pagan said some 300 policemen were on duty at the court complex yesterday to ensure no untoward incidents occurred.
They started gathering at the court compound as early as 6.30am and a counter was set up at the front gate to register members of the public who entered the compound.

Padang Serai MP N. Gobalakrishnan confronted Zakaria and told him that the arrangement was unnecessary, adding that it was a move by the police to harass the supporters.