KUALA
LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- The Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim corruption trial
at the High Court here resumed today for the sixth day after a weekend
break with the prosecution's first witness, outgoing Police Special Branch
chief Datuk Mohd Said Awang scheduled to be cross-examined further.
Mohd Said, who
began testifying last Tuesday, the second day of the trial, is expected
to be further cross-examined over an investigation report which was tendered
to the court last Friday.
The three-paged
report dated Aug 20 1997 was tendered to the court by the prosecution team
leader Senior Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Abdul Gani Patail.
This was the report
Mohd Said had submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
However, the report
regarded "very crucial" by the defence, did not contain the names of personalities
who had allegedly conspired to end Anwar's political career as suggested
by one of Anwar's counsel Christopher Fernando.
Anwar, who was
sacked as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister last Sept 2 and expelled
from Umno the next day, is facing four charges of corrupt practice.
Last Friday Fernando
also applied to the court to obtain one more report dated Sept 3 1997,
which Mohd Said could or could not have signed, as counsel said he was
instructed by Anwar that there was such a report.
The court allowed
the application. The four charges corrupt practice against Anwar are under
Section 2 (1) of
the Emergency
(Essential Powers) Ordinance No 22 1970 which carries a maximum sentence
of 14 years' jail and fine up to RM20,000.
Anwar, who is being
remanded at the Sungai Buloh prison, arrived at the courthouse at 8.36
am today, six minutes after the arrival of his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah
Wan Ismail and their daughter Nurul Nuha.
Wan Azizah has
been attending the trial since the first day. Mohd Said arrived at 8.31am
almost simultaneously with Judge Datuk S. Augustine Paul while members
of the prosecution team came together at 8.35 am.
The High Court
began today's hearing at 9.25 am. Courts police chief DSP Tan Kok Liang
said today's attendance of 108 people was the highest number accommodated
in the court since the trial began.
They comprised
33 journalists, members of the public (25), Anwar's family members (20),
lawyers (nine), prosecution (six), police personnel on duty inside
the trial court
(10), interpreters (three), one public address system technician and Justice
Augustine Paul.
Outside the court
as up to 9.30 am, members of the public were still anxiously queueing for
a turn to take over seats from those leaving the trial.
Notwithstanding
the tight security, there was visibly fewer policemen maintaining order
around the courthouse compared to their number deployed last week.
As of 11 am the
situation around the court, which is part of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building
in Jalan Raja, was normal.
Several foreign
observers who followed last week's hearing were replaced by their colleagues.
The Anwar Ibrahim trial has attracted foreign observers including those
from non-govermental organisations who were seen daily queueing up outside
the courthouse as early as 6.30 am to secure the limited public gallery
seats. -- BERNAMA |