Anwar’s lawyer in ‘critical’ condition, defence team in disarray

Suliaman has taken ill, and is too sick to continue his court cases. — File pic

By Debra Chong - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been left in the lurch as his lead lawyer unexpectedly pulled out from his Sodomy II case late yesterday due to failing health.

High Court judge Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah rejected the Opposition Leader’s bid for more time to appoint a replacement for an ill Sulaiman Abdullah.

The veteran lawyer, who has 30 years’ experience, fell sick two weeks ago following episodes of “giddiness” and was warded at the government-run Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

His condition remains “critical”, a grim-faced Anwar told reporters in the courtroom this morning.

“Sulaiman told me last night he’s going to discharge himself. He cannot continue with the defence for my case,” Anwar said unhappily and added: “or for others,” referring to the seasoned lawyer who is also representing toppled Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin in his Federal Court bid to regain his office.

The national lawmaker says his other lawyers had pleaded with the judge in chambers this morning asking for two weeks to decide on the new chief counsel and failed.

Anwar is invoking Article 5 of the Federal Constitution, which he says gives him full rights to choose his lawyer in a trial.

Despite having a massive legal team of some 13 lawyers originally, Anwar is looking for a lead counsel outside the circle. He wants someone with Sulaiman’s stature.

Ex-Malaysian Bar chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan was seen in deep discussion with the PKR leader in the courtroom but denied that she would be taking over Sulaiman’s position.

Justice Zabidin fixed the hearing, which had been postponed twice, to start at 2pm today. The court is scheduled to hear Anwar’s bid to get more evidence for his trial, which he claims the prosecution is withholding from him.

Anwar walking to court with wife and PKR president Wan Azizah. - Picture by Choo Choy May

“My counsel Sivarasa said the judge insists on starting the session now. So we’ll see what happens at 2pm as far as the due process is concerned,” Anwar said.

The 61-year-old leader stands who accused of sodomising a former male aide last June has repeatedly claimed he is being denied a fair trial.

The former deputy prime minister who made his political comeback last year has also applied to strike out the sodomy charges against him.

He is also trying to disqualify the present 7-member prosecution team headed by Solicitor-General II Datuk Yusof Zainal Abiden.

He claimes they are a part of a “malicious” prosecution handpicked by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, whom he accuses of trying to put an end to his political career.

If convicted, Anwar faces up to 20 years in prison, effectively snuffing his dreams of taking over the federal government.

“It stands as you can see. You need time, but the judge says ‘No, it’s a technical thing. You can proceed.’ That’s what the instruction is, ladies and gentlemen,” Anwar complained, the corner of his lips lifted in a wry smile.

However, the beleaguered leader appeared to waver when pressed on his opposition faction’s razor-thin victory in yesterday’s Manek Urai by-election.

Anwar dismissed it as a “small by-election” pointing out that PAS and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had faced the entire might of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government machinery and triumphed.

“I’m more concerned with...the issue of perception,” he stressed, brushing aside the various public spats among the three-party PR as propaganda efforts by BN through their party-controlled media.

But he is not resting on his laurels. He knows the wave of public support for PR is slowly falling and is “taking all measures” to combat the decline.

Asked if he anticipates a snap poll next year, despite Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s firm rejection of idea, Anwar said: “Maybe, I don’t know. But we’re preparing. The sooner the better.”