PM and wife: We don't wish to be your witnesses

Premier Najib Abdul Razak and his wife told lawyers representing the opposition leader and also defendant Anwar Ibrahim that they do not want to be defence witnesses.

This was revealed by lead counsel Karpal Singh and also by Sankara Nair.

Karpal and Sankara, along with senior lawyer Param Cumaraswamy and Ram Karpal, were in the same room when the witnesses were brought in, one by one.

Karpal said when the defence team arrived at the court complex, Najib and Rosmah were already there.

“Najib came in first and when we asked, he said, 'I do not wish to be a defence witness. I do not want to be interviewed',” said Karpal.

Then it was Rosmah's turn and she made the same statement, and this was followed by former Malacca police chief Mohd Rodwan Mohd Yusof.

All three (Najib, Rosmah and Rodwan) were in the room and they did not come with their lawyers.

Najib and Rosmah arrived about 2.55pm and left at 3.28pm.

Their aides stood outside while they attended the brief interview.

Karpal said they were caught by surprise as there had been no indication that Najib and Rosmah would turn up today.

“Normally, they would give us advance notice,” the senior lawyer said.

Karpal described Rosmah as very tense when asked questions and at at one point, she said, “do not bully me, Mr Karpal”.

Karpal said he does not know why Najib and Rosmah are frightened to come to court, in describing their refusal to answer questions.

Anwar: Meeting was cordial

Anwar said his meeting with Najib and Rosmah went on in a cordial manner.

For Anwar, he said he felt normal and Karpal was extremely polite.

“I can assure you Karpal is extremely polite,” said Anwar smilingly.

“However, I am disappointed that they (Najib and Rosmah) do not want to say much. This comes after they had said a lot in the public and to the media, but when asked by they do not want to cooperate,” said the Permatang Pauh MP.

Anwar said naturally, he was disappointed.

Asked whether he was surprised to see the premier and Rosmah, Anwar said they will come at some time.

Today three other witnesses were interviewed, and they were Desa Damansara condo owner Hasanuddin Abdul Hamid and his wife Noor Sham Abd Hamid, and Hasanuddin's sister, identified as Mashitah.

Six more witnesses including Musa to be interviewed

Karpal said there will be six other witnesses to be interviewed and they include former IGP Musa Hassan.

“The others are the two former Indonesian maids who worked with Hasanuddin and lesser-known witness.”

Karpal said he expects the trial may not go on until the defence finishes interviewing the witnesses.

“We will ask for a postponement on Monday as we have yet to finish interviewing the witnesses.

“The trial just cannot go on until we finish this process,” he said.

Asked whether a decision will be made to call Najib and Rosmah to the stand, Karpal said a decision will be made after the interview process.

Meanwhile, addressing reporters after the BN supreme council meeting, Najib said he had met with Anwar's lawyers out of respect for the courts.

“A decision has been made by the judge and regardless of position, I am still a citizen and I respect the judge's decision.

“I had attended the meeting and stated my stand on the matter... I know my rights and I have stated this to Anwar's lawyers,” he said.