[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 10 Aug 1999
Time: 03:00:00
Remote User: -
Trial postponed as key witness in Anwar sodomy trial taken ill
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (AFP) - A key witness in the sodomy trial of Malaysia's ousted deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim was suddenly taken ill Tuesday after facing intense questioning and criticism from the judge.
Prosecutors told the court after a routine break that Anwar's former driver Azizan Abu Bakar had had to be taken to hospital, reportedly after suffering a migraine and vomiting.
Judge Arifin Jaka agreed to postpone the trial to Wednesday after the defence raised no objections.
Azizan in Anwar's previous corruption trial alleged he was repeatedly forced to have sex with the former deputy premier. But he admitted under cross-examination in that trial that the allegations were false.
Anwar, fired and arrested in September last year, is serving a six-year sentence following his April conviction for corruption -- abusing his position to cover up accusations of sexual misconduct.
He faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted of sodomy.
Anwar is jointly charged with his Indonesian-born adopted brother Sukma Darmawan with sodomising Azizan. Sukma faces a further charge of abetting Anwar to sodomise Azizan.
Earlier, Azizan was cross-examined by lawyer Govind Singh Deo on the date and events leading to the alleged sodomy incident.
Azizan often replied: "I can't remember" but gave an answer when a direct question was asked.
Judge Arifin -- who on Monday had criticised the evidence given by Azizan for the prosecution -- described his intelligence as not high.
"You see, you can observe when you put a direct question, he will answer. His IQ is not so high," he said.
Arifin also took the opportunity to wish Anwar a happy 52nd birthday. As the courtroom was being cleared about 25 people hugged Anwar and expressed good wishes.
At least 15 truckloads of riot police were deployed near the federal court building after Anwar's supporters announced they planned to gather outside to wish him a happy birthday.
Police also deployed water cannon and a dog unit.
About 60 supporters Tuesday displayed a large birthday card outside the courthouse but no incidents were reported.
Mahfuz Omar, youth chief of the opposition Parti Islam Semalaysia, told AFP the deployment of additional police was unjustified and provocative.
"I understand people will merely gather to celebrate with Anwar but the presence of the police will frighten them."
"This is one form of provocation ... to see a tense situation especially oustside the courthouse and to put the blame on the supporters of Anwar," he added.