Power failure disrupts sodomy trial

KUALA LUMPUR: Power failure at the Jalan Duta Court Complex disrupted Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial here this morning.

Electricity supply to the packed court room was disrupted soon after the prosecution’s fifth witness Dr Seah Lay Hong from the Chemistry Department took his oath.

The trial was adjourned to 2pm this afternoon by High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah.

Earlier, the trial continued with the cross-examination of Dr Khairul Nizam Hassan, former head of Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s Accident and Emergency Unit.

Khairul, who is now attached to the Putrajaya Hospital, had conducted a physical examination of complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

On Monday, he testified that he took samples from Saiful’s mouth as the latter had claimed he had been forced to perform oral sex on Anwar.

Another HKL doctor, forensic pathologist Dr Siew Shueu Feng, had been quizzed on Monday over several inconsistencies in his statement and medical report.

After Khairul finished his testimony, Seah , who tested the DNA evidence from the case, was called to the stand.

Today’s hearing attracted the attendance of a number of representatives from the foreign missions, including Canada and Ireland.

Also present were forensics expert Dr David Wells and DNA specialist Dr Brian McDonald, who were engaged by the defence team.

Anwar is charged with sodomising Saiful, 25, his former personal aide, at Unit 11-5-1 of Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara, between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

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