Twist to Sodomy 11

Anwar Ibrahim (left) and key witness Saiful Buhari Azlan

KUALA LUMPUR - Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's defence team has applied to strike out sodomy charges against him because of complainant Saiful Buikhari Azlan's alleged 'affair' with DPP Farah Azlina Latiff.

Karpal Singh, Anwar's lead counsel, told the High Court that the entire prosecution team should step down because it has been compromised and Solicitor General II Yuosf Zainal Abiden should take blame.

"Because of this affair, the integrity of the entire prosecution of this trial has been compromised," Karpal told the High Court.

"The DPP is part of prosecution, (by) having an affair, there is a likelihood that Saiful would have been aware of the entire investigation," said Karpal, who is also DAP national chairman.

High Court judge Justice Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah said the court will hear the application before continuing with the cross examination of witnesses.

Pressing for the case to be struck out, Anwar's legal team said there was no choice but to assume the allegations were true.

The judge adjourned proceedings to Aug 9 when the strike-out applicaiton wll be heard.

On July 27, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail confirmed that Farah Azlina was dropped from the prosecution team.

Abdul Gani said the move was a follow-up to the allegation that Farah Azlina had had a romantic relationship with the key witness in the case, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

He said Farah Azlina was also dropped from the Prosecution Division of the Attorney-General's Chambers for the same reason.

"The Attorney-General's Chambers cannot compromise on any issue that can tarnish the image or credibility of the department and we are looking at such matters very seriously.

"This can be very difficult for us but any personal matter, if it can have any implication in whatever form on the department, will be handled very seriously," he had told reporters at a press conference at his office, here.

The press conference was held to explain the latest development and answer questions on the relationship between Farah Azlina and Mohd Saiful as reported in the website 'Malaysia Today' recently.

Abdul Gani had said Farah Azlina had to be dropped not because she was found guilty, but to avoid any negative public perception on the prosecution team.

"This move is also to ensure that the smooth running of the case is not affected," he said.

Saiful, who was an aide in Anwar's office, has accused the 62-year-old of sodomising him in 2008. If convicted, Anwar could face up to 20 years in prison.

Malaysian Mirror