Saiful insists ‘truth will prevail’

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 – Star witness in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II trial Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan insisted today that the “truth will prevail’, in an apparent response to accusations of him being romantically linked with deputy public prosecutor Farah Azlina Latif.

The sodomy trial today was postponed to August 9 next week after Anwar’s defence team submitted an application demanding that the sodomy charge against the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) de facto leader be dropped, in light of the affair allegations.

In a posting on micro-blogging site Twitter earlier today, Saiful (pic) said that he would not “overreact” and remain steadfast and patient throughout the course of the sodomy trial, which started earlier this year.

“Smg segala kebatilan akn dilenyapkan oleh Yang Hak. Akan trs berdoa, istiqamah & sabar. Tdk sesekali akn melatah & menyerah kalah.Slm #Sabar.

“(The truth will eliminate all evil/lies. I will keep on praying and remain steadfast, patient. I will not overreact or give up. Salam),” said Saiful.

Anwar wants the sodomy charge against him dropped following Malaysia Today news portal editor Raja Petra Kamarudin’s recent allegations that Saiful was having an affair with Farah.

Earlier today in court, Anwar’s lead counsel, Karpal Singh, informed Judge Datuk Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah that an application had been filed this morning, claiming that the prosecution team led by Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden has been compromised as a result of the alleged affair.

“There have been offences committed under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

“As a result of the affair, [the] integrity of prosecution has been compromised,” said Karpal.

Anwar’s contention is that since Saiful was allegedly having an affair with Farah, he would be privy to important trial documents as Farah was part of the prosecution team till last Monday, when Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail announced that she had been dropped following the affair claims.

However, Abdul Gani and the prosecution team in Anwar’s sodomy trial have yet to respond to Raja Petra’s allegations.

Anwar had also lodged a police report against Saiful and Farah today, claiming that they had “breached Section 8(1) and Section 8(2) of the Official Secrets Act 1972.”

Anwar, the 62-year-old PKR de facto leader, is charged with sodomising Saiful at Unit 11-5-1 of the Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara here between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

The former deputy prime minister has denied the charge, describing it as “evil, frivolous lies by those in power” when the charge was read out to him. He is charged under section 377B of the Penal Code and can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction. The trial is taking place 18 months after Anwar was charged in court in August 2008.

Anwar was charged with sodomy and corruption in 1998 after he was sacked from the Cabinet and was later convicted and jailed for both offences.

He was freed in September 2004 and later resurrected his political career by winning back his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in a by-election in 2008, which had been held in the interim by his wife.

He had earlier led the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, to a historic sweep of five states and 82 parliamentary seats in Election 2008.