Anwar, with fist raised, seems to be in a jovial mood despite his trial been postponed. — Picture by Choo Choy May
KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's second sodomy trial, set to start today, was delayed again because his lead lawyer was too sick to go to court.
Sulaiman Abdullah has been warded at the government-run Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) since yesterday, according to his co-counsel.
The seasoned lawyer and former Bar Council president was admitted following an episode of “giddiness” which began last week at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya while trying to get Anwar's trial returned to the Sessions Court.
High Court judge Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah fixed next Wednesday to hear Anwar's bid to get more proof from the prosecution before the trial.
It also fixed his bid to strike out the charge for the same date. If he fails, the trial will begin immediately.
Solicitor-General II Datuk Yusof Zainal Abiden, who is heading the prosecution team, had objected to the delay.
He expressed his concern for Sulaiman's health, but argued that the trial could continue without the battle-hardened lawyer.
Pointing to the massive defence team, Yusof said any one of them could easily replace the veteran.
But Anwar's lawyers leapt up to counter the view.
Sankara Nair pointedly told the court his client had a constitutional right to choose his counsel, and was adamant that it must be Sulaiman.
The former deputy prime minister made his political comeback last year after winning big in the Permatang Pauh by-election and was leading the charge to take over the federal government then headed by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The 61-year-old insists he is being politically persecuted to prevent him from reaching his goal and becoming the next prime minister.
Speaking to reporters immediately after the judge adjourned the case, the charismatic leader, who was dressed smartly but casually in a grey suit and open-necked beige shirt, poured scorn on the prosecution's efforts to continue the hearing.
“My lead counsel is now in HKL. But the prosecution team insists on the trial going on... we're just asking for a few days to see what happens to my lead counsel,” Anwar said, criticising Yusof's insistence that the trial be allowed to continue without Sulaiman.
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