Ashamed or not, ex-IGP Musa Hassan refuses to see Anwar face to face

For reasons known only to himself, former top cop Musa Hassan does not wish to see Anwar Ibrahim face to face, refusing to proceed with the interview to screen witnesses in the sodomy trial against the Opposition Leader if he was present.

Both Musa and former Malacca police chief Mohd Rodwan Mohd Yusof have insisted that Anwar absented himself during the interview sessions with the defense lawyers, sparking comment that they were too embarrassed to see the man who has accused them of deliberately conspiring to kill his political career.

"Anwar's presence is needed as he is the person accused, and he has the right to be there. He has to be there as we may need to seek certain instructions. This, I have to emphasise, has never happened before in my legal practice and this is a first," lead defense counsel Kaparal Singh told reporters on Tuesday.

The 64-year Anwar was accused of sodomising a former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan at a posh condo in Kuala Lumpur in June, 2008, soon after he announced his plans to make a parliamentary comeback.

Anwar has accused Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor of hatching the scheme, which also involves the Attorney-General Gani Patail, Musa and Rodwan. Like Najib, Rodwan had also met Saiful in the days before the aide lodged the police complaint leading to the current trial.

Too good to be true

On Monday, the judge sprang a surprise when he allowed the defense to interview all 15 witnesses, including Najib and Rosmah, before they took the witness stand.

Many observers had predicted "it was too good to be true" and chances were high the Najib administration would throw all forms of obstacles to get Najib and Rosmah off the hook from having to appear as witnesses.

On Tuesday, Solicitor-General II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, who is heading the prosecution team, said in a text-message that Anwar's presence was not necessary.

According to Karpal, Yusof also wanted to meet with the trial judge for further directions on the matter.

"We will wait for the prosecution to meet the judge, for they cannot meet him alone. We have to also be present as well," said Karpal, stressing that it was the prosecution that was intentionally creating the delay.
He pointed out that Saiful's father had publicly complained and accused Anwar of delaying the trial.

Meanwhile, the interview sessions have been put on hold until the objection over Anwar's presence is resolved. Another six witnesses had been scheduled to be interviewed tomorrow.

"If at this stage, Musa Hassan and Rodwan are kicking up so much fuss, imagine what happens when Rosmah and Najib's turn comes," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

The first couple are among the 15 witnesses and have already sounded a warning that they will co-operate only if a subpoena was issued. This has sparked criticism that they were not responsibe or civic-minded citizens as Anwar stands to be jailed for 20 years if found guilty.

- Malaysia Chronicle