KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim faces trial today on sodomy charges that threaten to neutralise the former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed on similar allegations a decade ago.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar spent six years in prison before rallying the opposition to stunning gains in 2008 elections in the most potent challenge ever faced by the multi-ethnic coalition that has ruled the country for half a century.
He has condemned the new allegations levelled by a 24-year-old former aide, which could see him jailed for up to 20 years, as a conspiracy to end his political career and raised doubts he will get a fair hearing.
The trial was originally due to start last July but has been repeatedly delayed as the defence team pursued legal manoeuvres including bids to obtain access to prosecution evidence like medical reports and CCTV footage.
Anwar’s lawyer Sankara Nair said he would file another delay application at the start of today’s hearing in the High Court but said there seemed to be a campaign to push ahead with the trial.
“The fact that they’re not giving us certain crucial documents which they ought to give us has certainly had an emasculating effect in our preparation of the defence,” he told AFP yesterday.
Human rights group Amnesty International has sharply criticised the charges against Anwar, who in his first trial was brought to court with a black eye after a vicious beating by the then police chief.
Anwar, a married father of six, was finance minister before being sacked in 1998 amid a policy row with then-premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the Asian economic crisis.
He was convicted of sodomy and corruption but the sex charge was overturned and he was freed in 2004.
Demonstartions broke out when he was jailed a decade ago. – AFP