Frail Anwar at High Court to testify in defamation suit against Anifah Aman
Syafique Shuib
February 17, 2015 09:37 MYT
February 17, 2015 09:37 MYT
Anwar Ibrahim arrives at the KL High Court to testify in a defamation suit against Anifah Aman. - File Photo
A week after Federal Court conviction of sodomy on opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim the opposition leader today returns to Kuala Lumpur High Court here today to give evidence in a defamation suit filed against Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
His lawyer Latheefa Koya was quoted as saying in an interview with The Malaysian Insider that an order to produce Anwar in court had been obtained for Sungai Buloh prison authorities to bring him for the case.
the defamation suit against Anifah after the High Court here allowed the minister's application to amend his statement of defence relating to the allegation that Anwar had offered him RM100 million to switch to the opposition.
Follow the 'live' updates here:
8.45AM: The main gates of High Court Complex in Jalan Duta was seen still empty with several police personnel guarding the premises. Anwar Ibrahim has yet to arrive at the Court.
8.55AM: Press members have slowly trickled in at the Court complex to witness the court proceedings. At present, an approximately 24 media personnel were spotted at the premises. No signs of Anwar's supporters outside in the vicinity of the court house.
9AM: A frail Anwar arrived at the High Court from Sungai Buloh prison in Selangor. Clad in a white shirt and black trousers, he was accompanied by several prisons officers and policemen. Elated to see some familiar faces, Anwar went on to embrace some of his family members and supporters. His wife, Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail on her Facebook posted a photo showing a smiling yet frail looking Anwar.
A frail looking Anwar Ibrahim embraces his family members and supporters after he arrives at the KL High Court. - Photo from Wan Azizah Ismail's Facebook
9.25AM: Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali stole a moment to have a quick chat with Anwar. Mohamed Azmin was later quoted as saying that, 'his spirit is high and strong, he only complains about his 'rundown' cell.
"We just want basic facilities. The lawyers are currently working on asking the prison to provide these.
"Right now, there is no table or chair and Anwar has to do his readings on the floor. There's also a one-inch mattress," Mohamed Azmin told reporters.
10.50AM: Wan Azizah and her daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar are seen leaving the court house with the rest of their family members.
11.00AM: Batu MP Tian Chua stopped to chat with the media personnel covering the proceeding. Tian Chua reiterated Anwar's complaint citing that Anwar has not received VVIP treatment in prison.
“The condition in prison is not as what was reported by UMNO cybertroopers. The cell is not satisfactory. There are a lot of mosquitoes and prison authorities did not provide mosquito spray as it contained aerosol which is poisonous. There are no tables and chairs, only a one-inch mattress in Anwar's cell.
Despite the condition, Tian said that Anwar is high spirit.
“We who are outside should have a higher spirit,” Tian Chua said.
11.15AM: Media personnel as well as Anwar's supporters slowly leave the court house.
Anwar was brought by the police from the Sungai Buloh Prison where he is serving a five-year jail sentence after being found guilty of sodomising a former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, in 2008.
The Federal Court, on Feb 10, upheld the conviction and sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal which had overturned a High Court decision acquitting him.