Anwar's Sodomy II trial now at High Court

Anwar and his wife Dr Wan Azizah with supporters at the court complex. – Picture by Choo Choy May

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 – This morning Sessions Court judge Rozina Ali Yusoff authorised the transfer of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II trial to the High Court with immediate effect despite objections from his legal team.

Chief counsel Sulaiman Abdullah argued to delay the transfer until the original Sessions court judge SM Komathy Suppiah, who is on leave today, could hear it.

However, Justice Rozina ruled that there was no prejudice on her part to transfer the matter to the High Court.

Outside the Sessions court, Anwar told reporters the prosecution is “bent on pushing this forward as fast as possible.”

“It’s only when they can’t fight politically, they can’t have elections in Perak ... so they abuse the courts. They use the AG’s chambers, they even use Gani Patail,” said Anwar.

“But I’m not focused on this, I’m focusing on the three by-elections.”

Anwar’s trial at the High Court will be heard before Judge Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, the same judge who overturned Sessions Court judge SM Komathy Suppiah’s earlier decision to hear the case in her court.

Judge Zabidin has fixed 24 days, from July 1 to 24, for Anwar's trial. He also extended Anwar's Sessions Court bail.