PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is back in the Sessions Court today over the sodomy charge levelled against him by a former aide, will know in two weeks whether the case will be transfered to a higher court.
Sessions judge SM Komathy Suppiah set Oct 7 for her decision after hearing arguments this morning from both the prosecution and the defence counsel on whether the case should be transferred to the High Court.
The prosecution had earlier sought permission for the matter to be transferred to the High Court.
However, the defence team objected to the transfer notice as it was signed by attorney-general (AG) Abdul Gani Patail.
Their objection was on the basis that the AG should not have played any role in this case as he was being investigated following a complaint that the had tampered with evidence in Anwar's cases 10 years ago.
The proceedings started today with the prosecution, led by prosecution head Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden submitting in favour of a transfer of the case.
Mohd Yusof said Abdul Gani had no direct role in the prosecution of this case. Therefore, the transfer order, although signed by the AG, was valid.
Responding to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's previous assurance that Abdul Gani would not be involved in any way in the Anwar trial, Mohd Yusof said: "At the end of the day, the PM can say anything."
Citing case law, Mohd Yusof told the judge that she had no choice but to transfer the case to the High Court.
Security high at court complex
At the Jalan Duta court complex, security was heightened again for the hearing, with several federal reserve unit trucks on standby and police personnel posted at various locations.
Two layers of police security were also in place for those registering to enter the court room.
Anwar arrived at the court complex at 9.50am and entered the courtroom eight minutes later. The hearing started at 10am.
The opposition leader was accompanied by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and daughter Nurul Izzah.
Asked by reporters about the possible outcome of the hearing, Anwar said: "You never know (about) justice in this country".
About 50 supporters and several party leaders were present as a show of support.
Anwar had claimed trial on Aug 7 when charged with sodomising his former aide, 23-year-old Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
If convicted, he could face a 20-year jail term. He is currently out on a RM20,000 personal bond.
There is some fear among his supporters that his bail could be revoked, resulting in Anwar being held in prison while awaiting his trial - a process that could take months.
However, the issue was not raised in court previously and was not raised today either.
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