‘Saiful told me there was penetration’

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today heard how Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had confided in a medical expert about being allegedly sodomised by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Hospital Sungai Buloh’s forensic pathologist Dr Razuin Rahimi, the prosecution’s 23^rd witness, said that during the interview with Saiful, the latter told her that he did not consent to the sexual act.

Razuin, who was a medical officer with Hospital Kuala Lumpur during that period in 2008, said the interview lasted for about 20 minutes.

According to Saiful, the witness said, there was penetration and lubricant used.

“He fondled Saiful’s breasts,” she said, adding that Saiful had also told her that he had objected to performing oral sex on Anwar.

The prosecution later showed the doctor the pro-forma forms, to which Razuin said that she filled in pages 3, 5 and 6.

Lead prosecutor Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden then quizzed her on the meaning of “rectal attempted” stated on page 5.

“Saiful said there was anal intercourse, however the rectum is located above the anus, and the word is confusing. At that moment, I do not know whether it reached the rectum.”

“He ejaculated inside. Penetration, I noted full as I got it from Saiful,” she said, adding that she wrote “employer” as the alleged assailant in the form.

Saiful was Anwar’s former personal aide. He accused the opposition leader of sodomising him in a condominium in Bukit Damansara here on June 26, 2008.
During cross-examination by Anwar’s lead counsel Karpal Singh, Razuin denied that rectal sex amounted to sodomy.

Razuin: Rectal is below, anus is the top.
Karpal: To get to rectal, you have to go through anus. For sodomy you have to go through anus?
Razuin: Yes.

The doctor said she was unsure whether the penetration did reach the rectum and that was the reason why she had jotted “yes” to “rectal attempted” in the pro-forma.

Just an errand boy

The prosecution also called Ibrahim Yaakob, Anwar’s chief of staff, to the witness stand.

Ibrahim explained that Saiful had not been an employee of Anwar’s, but merely a temporary staff who ran errands and did general office work.

Ibrahim said that on June 26, 2008 – the day of the alleged sodomy, he had asked Saiful to deliver an envelope to Anwar.

The next day, the witness added, Saiful tendered his resignation via email, saying that he was inadequate and could not perform his duties.

“Saiful’s duties are that of a general office worker. I normally ask him to run errands.”
Ibrahim said Saiful also claimed that he wished to become a pilot.

The prosecution also called Road Transport Department registrar Ahmad Junaidi Awang to clarify the ownership and license plate numbers of seven vehicles, including one which belonged to Anwar.

These vehicles were seen at the condominium in Bukit Damansara where the alleged offence took place.
The trial will resume tomorrow before Judge Zabidin Mohamed Diah, with investigating officer DSP Jude Pereira taking the stand.