Najib could help show Saiful’s mental state, says Karpal

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

October 03, 2011

Karpal said it was vital to discover why Saiful (centre) would subject himself to further attacks despite Najib’s counsel. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s testimony is crucial to the Sodomy II trial, veteran lawyer Karpal Singh argued today, saying it could shed light on the disposition of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s accuser in the days leading up to the alleged incident.

Karpal asserted that as the prime minister had met Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan on the night of July 24 — two days before the latter accused Anwar of sodomising him — Najib’s account of the meeting would “go a long way” in assisting the court.

Anwar’s lead defence lawyer pointed out that Najib’s affidavit had stated that the PM had advised Saiful then to lodge a police report, after the political aide had alleged on July 24 that Anwar had sodomised him.

Karpal noted that Saiful had failed to heed Najib’s advice, and instead went on to subject himself to the “alleged sodomy on him by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, two days later on June 26, 2008.”

“It is necessary to obtain evidence from the prime minister with regard to SP1’s (Saiful) state of mind, and whether he was frightened, or whether the prime minister would have expected SP1 to follow his advice,” Karpal said today.

“Surely, one would follow the advice of a personality of no mean rank, namely a (then) deputy prime minister whose advice was sought.”

Najib and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s lawyers argued earlier today the two were not relevant witnesses to Anwar’s ongoing sodomy trial, and said that the duo would not be able to offer any material evidence to the court.

Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, one of the lawyers representing Najib and Rosmah in their joint application to avoid testifying, said that the opposition leader has failed to furnish proof that the two were relevant witnesses.

The lawyer said Anwar’s application to compel Najib and wife to testify was merely a “fishing expedition” to seek information.

While Najib admitted to meeting Saiful on June 24, 2008, the PM’s lawyers stressed that the meeting was not related to alleged events on June 26.

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