'DPP, Saiful must clarify allegation'

(Malaysiakini) DPP Farah Azlina Latif and Sodomy II complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan "should submit separate affidavits" to clarify the allegation on their alleged affair.

In making this call, Anwar Ibrahim's lead counsel Karpal Singh said they are duty-bound to clarify the allegation which emerged on the Malaysia Today website.

"The prosecution's answer is neither an acknowledgement or denial. Based on this, we are certain there is an affair and it is up to them to deny (the allegation)," he said outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

He also said the entire prosecution team, led by solicitor general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, has been compromised or tainted because of the claim.

For this reason, he argued that the sodomy charge should be struck out.

Karpal said Farah is in violation of Section 8(1) of the Official Secrets Act and that Saiful is in violation of Section 8(2) of the same law. These provisions concern wrongful communication of secret documents.

Anwar is at the Kuala Lumpur court complex in Jalan Duta to lodge a police report over the matter.

Earlier today, his lawyers had submitted notice to strike out the charge in the Kuala Lumpur High Court. An affidavit from Anwar was submitted in support of this.

'Personal knowledge?'

Yusof, when asked to comment, shot the question back at Anwar and his lawyers.

"This is a bare allegation and there is no substance (to the claim). Do they have personal knowledge (about the alleged affair)?" he asked.

Yuosf (Left) said he would look into whether or not there is a need to reply to Anwar's affidavit.

Last week, attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail had removed Farah from the prosecution team and Prosecution Division.

Saiful and Farah were conspicuous by their absence from today's proceedings, which saw the trial being postponed to Aug 9.