From courtroom to bedroom - Malaysiakini

Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial shifted from the courtroom in the morning to the alleged crime scene at a posh condominium in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

The visit took place after the 'in camera' proceedings ended at about 11am.

According to Bernama, the trial judge spent an hour examining the condominium unit where the alleged offence took place in 2008.

Both Anwar and his accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan (right) were present when High Court Judge Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah inspected the sparse, two-bedroom unit located on the fifth floor.

Mohd Saiful showed the judge where Anwar was seated in the living room when he came to deliver documents, and the master bedroom where the alleged offence subsequently took place.

During the inspection, Mohamad Zabidin was seen asking Mohd Saiful several questions.

There was a double-bed in the master bedroom where the windows were draped in dark grey curtains. Similar coloured curtains were found in the living room which had a pale-coloured leather sofa. In the dining area, there was a table for six.

Anwar had left the scene after the judge inspected the master bedroom.

Saiful went to three hospitals

When the hearing resumed at 3pm, Mohd Saiful watched a closed circuit television recording where he affirmed arriving at the condominium at 2.42pm on June 26, 2008.

The recording also showed that he left the condominium after meeting Anwar at about 4.15pm.

When the black and white clips were shown to him, he acknowledged that it was him in the elevator. Several still photos of the recording were also shown to Mohd Saiful.

Two days after the alleged incident, Mohd Saiful went to the hospital.

In replying to questions from Solicitor-General II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, Mohd Saiful said prior to lodging a police report at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital's One Stop Crisis Centre Ward on June 28, he had gone to two other hospitals.

“I went to the Tawakal hospital in Jalan Pahang as it was the nearest. I arrived there at about 1pm but was told they were operating half day.

“Following this, the doctor suggested that I go to the Pusrawi Hospital,” he said, adding that his uncle Tuah Mohd Halim had accompanied him.

Mohd Yusof: When you went to the Pusrawi Hospital, what did you do?

Mohd Saiful: I complained of constipation.

Mohd Yusof: Who examined you?

Mohd Saiful: Dr Mohd Othman Abdul Hamid. (Dr Mohd Othman was called in and Mohd Saiful identified him.)

Mohd Yusof: What happened then?

Mohd Saiful: He asked me to remove my trousers. When I bent over, he inserted a medical instrument into my anus. Just as this was happening. I told the doctor that I had come to the hospital because I had been sodomised.

Mohd Yusof: What happened after this?

Mohd Saiful: He told me to wear my trousers and informed me that the hospital does not have the proper forensic equipment to check on this complaint. Dr Mohd Othman also told me that a private hospital's report could not be accepted in court. He suggested that I go to a government hospital namely Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

Mohd Yusof: Did you do as suggested?

Mohd Saiful: Yes, I went to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital's outpatient clinic.

Mohd Yusof: What happened here?

Mohd Saiful: Initially a female doctor examined me, however, I told her I would like to be inspected by a male doctor and she asked me to go to see the doctor next door. I went there and saw one doctor by the name of Dr Daniel.

I told Dr Daniel that Anwar Ibrahim, my employer had sodomised me. He was shocked and following this, the doctor passed me a note and I proceeded to the One Stop Crisis Centre, which is next to the emergency ward to lodge a police report there.

Mohd Yusof: Did a doctor inspect you?

Mohd Saiful: Yes, at about 9pm, a male physician and a female doctor came along with several nurses. Also present was Superintendent Jude Pereira, who is my investigating officer.

They inspected my rectum and used cotton buds to take samples. The cotton buds were placed in a bottle, which was sealed. I signed on a piece of paper on the bottle.

Following this, Mohd Yusof applied that the hearing be postponed to tomorrow.

Tomorrow, after questioning Mohd Saiful, they will go to the condominium once again to view the office where the CCTV recording was made.