All eyes are be trained on High Court Criminal 3, located on the fifth floor of the massive Jalan Duta court complex, where the Sodomy II verdict will be announced this morning.
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, 64, is facing his second sodomy charge in 15 years in what has been repeatedly described as a political conspiracy.
Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah who is apparently on leave since the last submissions at the close of defence case last month, will be back on duty to deliver the verdict at about 9am.
Today’s case may also see outgoing solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden making a surprise short return after being asked to finish the case as chief prosecutor for the case which began in August 2008.
Yusof, 56, had opted for early retirement, an application he submitted twice in the past without success until this one.
Pakatan Rakyat supporters comprising PKR, PAS and DAP have began converging in front of the Jalan Duta car park as early as 4am.
Meanwhile, Malay right-wing group Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa (Perkasa) is scheduled to have their counter rally at the Federal Territory mosque, opposite the court complex.
There will be three scenarios to tomorrow’s verdict - a guilty verdict where Anwar could face up to 20 years’ jail with a stay not granted, a guilty verdict and a stay of execution of the jailed sentence is allowed, and acquittal of the charge.
Criminal lawyer Baljit Singh Sidhu told Malaysiakini that if Anwar is found guilty and a stay is granted, justice Zabidin can opt to maintain bail until the appeal is heard as the politician has been attending his trial without fail.
However, in the abuse of power case in which Anwar was sentenced to six years’ jail in 2000, bail for the opposition leader was denied.
Local and foreign media and the public have thronged as early as 4am at the court complex to get seats.
LIVE REPORTS
4.15am: Heavy police presence outside Duta Courthouse - 12 police trucks and one water cannon truck as well as hundreds of riot police are seen.
4.20am: The sky is still dark and it has been raining heavily in the Jalan Duta area.
5.16am: Police are not allowing court reporters inside the complex, saying that the court building is being scanned by bomb disposal unit.
5.30am: Two buses and 32 vans full of police officers show up.
6.06am: Reporters and some demonstrators assemble at Duta Courthouse main gates.
6.10am: Pro-PKR NGO Jingga 13, distributed Anwar masks at Duta hawker centre, they claimed to have printed 5000 masks and give out to Anwar' s supporters. They are now wearing masks, and marching toward the Duta court.
6.25am: A crowd of about 100 Anwar supporters marched to the car park outside the court complex from the main room chanting "reformasi". More people are trickling in.
6.29am: Main body of rally supporters arrive led by Pakatan leaders, some wearing 901 and ABU (Anything But Umno) T-shirts. Several don Anwar Ibrahim masks.
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, 64, is facing his second sodomy charge in 15 years in what has been repeatedly described as a political conspiracy.
Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah who is apparently on leave since the last submissions at the close of defence case last month, will be back on duty to deliver the verdict at about 9am.
Today’s case may also see outgoing solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden making a surprise short return after being asked to finish the case as chief prosecutor for the case which began in August 2008.
Yusof, 56, had opted for early retirement, an application he submitted twice in the past without success until this one.
Pakatan Rakyat supporters comprising PKR, PAS and DAP have began converging in front of the Jalan Duta car park as early as 4am.
Meanwhile, Malay right-wing group Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa (Perkasa) is scheduled to have their counter rally at the Federal Territory mosque, opposite the court complex.
There will be three scenarios to tomorrow’s verdict - a guilty verdict where Anwar could face up to 20 years’ jail with a stay not granted, a guilty verdict and a stay of execution of the jailed sentence is allowed, and acquittal of the charge.
Criminal lawyer Baljit Singh Sidhu told Malaysiakini that if Anwar is found guilty and a stay is granted, justice Zabidin can opt to maintain bail until the appeal is heard as the politician has been attending his trial without fail.
However, in the abuse of power case in which Anwar was sentenced to six years’ jail in 2000, bail for the opposition leader was denied.
Local and foreign media and the public have thronged as early as 4am at the court complex to get seats.
LIVE REPORTS
4.15am: Heavy police presence outside Duta Courthouse - 12 police trucks and one water cannon truck as well as hundreds of riot police are seen.
4.20am: The sky is still dark and it has been raining heavily in the Jalan Duta area.
5.16am: Police are not allowing court reporters inside the complex, saying that the court building is being scanned by bomb disposal unit.
5.30am: Two buses and 32 vans full of police officers show up.
6.06am: Reporters and some demonstrators assemble at Duta Courthouse main gates.
6.10am: Pro-PKR NGO Jingga 13, distributed Anwar masks at Duta hawker centre, they claimed to have printed 5000 masks and give out to Anwar' s supporters. They are now wearing masks, and marching toward the Duta court.
6.25am: A crowd of about 100 Anwar supporters marched to the car park outside the court complex from the main room chanting "reformasi". More people are trickling in.
6.29am: Main body of rally supporters arrive led by Pakatan leaders, some wearing 901 and ABU (Anything But Umno) T-shirts. Several don Anwar Ibrahim masks.
They file up the road to the courthouse, met by police, they were then diverted to the car park designated as the assembly area. 300 of them gathered, shouting "reformasi" intermittently.
6.30am: Reporters going into court complex are not allowed to bring their umbrellas.
6.30am: Reporters going into court complex are not allowed to bring their umbrellas.
6.35am: Total count of police vehicles inside court areas:
21 police trucks
1 water cannon truck
33 vans
1 mobile command post
3 buses full of police
4 Light Strike Force Landrovers
7.05am: Number of rally supporters steadily increasing, now about 1,500. They intermittently shout "reformasi" and "Allahuakbar". More steadily streaming in.
7.09am: The rain has stopped.
7.10am: A group of about 200 Sarawak PKR members arrive with a 4 by 8 feet banner displaying messages and signatures of Anwar supporters in Kuching.
7.15am: Over at the Federal Territory Mosque where Perkasa plans to hold a counter rally, few people are seen. There are about 30 people listening to a sermon in the mosque.
21 police trucks
1 water cannon truck
33 vans
1 mobile command post
3 buses full of police
4 Light Strike Force Landrovers
7.05am: Number of rally supporters steadily increasing, now about 1,500. They intermittently shout "reformasi" and "Allahuakbar". More steadily streaming in.
7.09am: The rain has stopped.
7.10am: A group of about 200 Sarawak PKR members arrive with a 4 by 8 feet banner displaying messages and signatures of Anwar supporters in Kuching.
7.15am: Over at the Federal Territory Mosque where Perkasa plans to hold a counter rally, few people are seen. There are about 30 people listening to a sermon in the mosque.
7.25am: Crowd size swell to 2,000.
7.30am: PKR vice-president Tian Chua gives a briefing to the crowd, saying that there will be only one court case today at KL Duta court complex.
He said that Anwar and the other leaders of Pakatan Rakyat will deliver a short speech before entering the court at 8.30am.
He said that only Anwar and his family members, diplomats, media and 10 people from Pakatan can inside the court to watch the proceeding, the rest are not allowed.
While the court case is on going, he said that someone from inside the court will keep the crowd informed about the proceedings.
7.36am: Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is here. He is with PKR leaders Rafizi Ramli and R Sivarasa.
7.30am: PKR vice-president Tian Chua gives a briefing to the crowd, saying that there will be only one court case today at KL Duta court complex.
He said that Anwar and the other leaders of Pakatan Rakyat will deliver a short speech before entering the court at 8.30am.
He said that only Anwar and his family members, diplomats, media and 10 people from Pakatan can inside the court to watch the proceeding, the rest are not allowed.
While the court case is on going, he said that someone from inside the court will keep the crowd informed about the proceedings.
7.36am: Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is here. He is with PKR leaders Rafizi Ramli and R Sivarasa.
7.40am: Rally coordinators are urging protesters to move into the car park as the crowd has spilled onto the road the road leading into the court complex.
7.45am: Bersih coordinator S Ambiga arrive, followed by national laurette A Samad Said. Crowd size is now about 5,000.
7.45am: Bersih coordinator S Ambiga arrive, followed by national laurette A Samad Said. Crowd size is now about 5,000.
8.03am: PKR Srikandi Keadilan chief Siti Aishah Shaik Ismail speaks to the crowd.
"Whatever the decision today, this wave must rise and make sure Umno collapses."
8.06am: Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh addresses the crowd: "We gather here today to show the system in our country is damaged - not only in terms of the judiciary, but economy, social, education... Everything.
"If Anwar is found guilty then our judiciary is a kangaroo court."
8.12am: Among the top PKR leaders seen outside the courtroom are Azmin Ali, N Surendran and Chua Jui Meng.
8.14am: Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh: "We gather here today to show the system in our country is damaged. Not only in terms of the judiciary, but economy, social, education... Everything."
"If Anwar is found guilty then our judiciary is a kangaroo court."
8.17am: Ousted Perak MB and Bukit Gantang MP Nizar Jamaluddin takes the microphone.
"Today, we gather here to make sure the judges' decision is not influenced by the leaders of Umno."
We hope the judge's decision will be in impartial, he adds.
"Whatever the decision today, this wave must rise and make sure Umno collapses."
8.06am: Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh addresses the crowd: "We gather here today to show the system in our country is damaged - not only in terms of the judiciary, but economy, social, education... Everything.
"If Anwar is found guilty then our judiciary is a kangaroo court."
8.12am: Among the top PKR leaders seen outside the courtroom are Azmin Ali, N Surendran and Chua Jui Meng.
8.14am: Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh: "We gather here today to show the system in our country is damaged. Not only in terms of the judiciary, but economy, social, education... Everything."
"If Anwar is found guilty then our judiciary is a kangaroo court."
8.17am: Ousted Perak MB and Bukit Gantang MP Nizar Jamaluddin takes the microphone.
"Today, we gather here to make sure the judges' decision is not influenced by the leaders of Umno."
We hope the judge's decision will be in impartial, he adds.
8.18am: Police officer Rajab Ahad urged part of the crowd to move into the car park area, instead of congegrating in the main road outside the court complex.
8.20am: Permas secretary-general Zulkifly Sharif says he is trying to round up members of Perkasa, Pekida dan Putra Malaysia for the counter-rally at the Federal Territory Mosque.
Their supporters are given a yellow T-shirt displaying the words '901 Free Sex Antic'.
8.20am: Permas secretary-general Zulkifly Sharif says he is trying to round up members of Perkasa, Pekida dan Putra Malaysia for the counter-rally at the Federal Territory Mosque.
Their supporters are given a yellow T-shirt displaying the words '901 Free Sex Antic'.
8.22am: Representatives from the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and a few other embassies from European countries are lining up to get into the courtroom.
International observer from Inter-Parliamentary Union Mark Trowell is also here.
8.25am: Former Perak speaker V Sivakumar tells the crowd: "In this court complex, we know what has happened - all our cases in the Perak crisis we lost.
"We know what kind of judgment we will receive but regardless, Malaysians will demand for justice."
8.30am: Student leader Adam Adli, who is embroiled in the controversy for lowering a flag of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, takes the microphone briefly, urging the crowd to destroy Umno.
8.32am: PSM's Nasir Hashim and Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim are seen among the crowd.
8.30am: The accused Anwar Ibrahim and his family arrive to rousing cheers of reformasi from the nearly 6,000 crowd.
There is a bit of commotion as supporters rush to greet them. The crowd surge forward breaking through the police cordon. Some of the supporters fell after being pushed by others from the back.
8.37am: Diplomats and reporters allowed inside court. Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim is also in court.
8.59am: Auntie Bersih arrives at the court complex to show solidarity to Anwar, donning a 'Generation 709' yellow T-shirt.
She tells reporters that she came to the Duta court complex by bus.
"Easy lah to come here," she said, as she tried to avoid the photographers.
"Banyak marah, apa diaorang buat pada rakyat".
9.01am: PAS leaders Abdul Hadi Awang and Mahfuz Omar are among the crowd.
9.05am: A coordinator announces that PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has just arrived and has entered the court complex.
9.07am: PAS president Hadi Awang enters the courtroom along with party vice-president Mahfuz Omar and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.
9.14am: Police Facebook page says that up to 9am, the total crowd size at the 901 rally is estimated at 4,500.
9.15am: DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang is also in court. Court to begin soon.
9.20am: Court begins with justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding.
9.23am: Judge Mohamad Zabidin, in a suprised decision, acquits and discharges Anwar.
9.26am: Zabidin says the court cannot accept the DNA evidence 100 percent. And hence, the court acquits Anwar of the sodomy charge.
Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail cries and hugs her elated husband.
9.32am: In an immediate response, Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah tweets:
"Judge: reading results immediately. Evidence not corroborated. Papa is acquitted! Takbir!"
9.37am: People are hugging each other. Adam Adli and a group of students are jumping with joy. Some are shouting: "Tangkap Saiful" (Arrest Saiful!).
9.41am: Anwar thanks his lawyers.
"I'm finally vindicated after the smearing of my character. I'm thankful to Wan Azizah and the team of lawyers led by Karpal Singh.
He also thanked the support of Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
"We want to continue on the reform agenda, fighting corruption, and freedom of the press."
9.50am: The crowd has moved from the carpark to the foodcourt opposite the Federal Territories Mosque.
Tian Chua and other PKR leaders are addressing the jubilant crowd from the rooftop of the building.
9.56am: Police are not allowing the group enter the mosque as Perkasa and Pekida are inside. The crowd passing the mosque boos at the Perkasa and Pekida members who are watching the them from a distance from within the mosque's compound.
Tian Chua, who is leading the crowd, moves to the food court opposite of the mosque.
9.58am: This proves that all the evidence presented against Anwar is fake, declares Tian Chua.
10.06am: Government servants from the government complex opposite the road overseeing the food court have lined the side staircase on almost every floor to witness the crowd.
10.11am: Sodomy complainant Saiful tweets: "If not in this world, in the afterworld. I accept fate, will remain calm and continue praying."
10.21am: Reaction from Human Rights Watch (HRW):
"Anwar was acquitted on a charge that should have never been brought in the first place," says Phil Robertson, deputy director of HRW's Asia Division.
"Hopefully this verdict sends a message to the government to put this matter to rest."
10.25am: Police are attempting to disperse the pro-Saiful supporters in the Federal Territory mosque to allow Anwar supporters to go inside to perform their prayers.
10.26am: Penang CM Lim Guan Eng says he hopes the persecution of Anwar will end and there will be no "third sodomy trial".
"Attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail should not allow itself to be used as a tool for BN and Umno.
He said that the decision may have an impact on Najib's election chances but it would not be big.
"I think he will not call election immediately after this and we hope Pakatan will register a bigger victory in the next GE," he said.
10.48am: Anwar stops on the road out of the court complex after being mobbed by the media who again press him for a statement.
After a short statement, Anwar was then ushered away in his SUV to go to the Federal Territory mosque opposite the court complex for thanksgiving prayers.
A loud noise, believed to be an explosion, could be heard in the distance. It is learned that it could come from the electricity substation not far from the area.
10.48am: Anwar stops on the road out of the court complex after being mobbed by the media who again press him for a statement.
10.51am: Police say that there was an explosion and they are investigating. The crowd is asked to disperse.
11.04am: A total of three explosiond were heard in the vicinity of the court house since 10.15am. The latest at 10.55am.
Unconfirmed reports say the first was caused by explosives hidden in police cones. The second and third unknown, as of now.
11.06am: Someone releases a firecracker near the site of the protest site, shattering the left side mirror of a vendor van.
Angry protesters began to surround the area attempting to apprehend the culript but are unsuccessful.
"Move out, move out, this is as provocation, just ignore," shouted a participant.
Police immediately moved in and cordon off the area with tape. Police dogs are brought in.
11.07am: Police ask to crowd to "bersurai serta merta kerana keadaan tidak selamat" (to immediately disperse as the situation is unsafe).
PKR vice-president Tian Chua also urges the crowd to disperse.
11.10am: There appeared to be three big explosions - 10.10am, 10.25am and 10.50am, believed to come from firecrackers.
The first incident, which occurred soon after Anwar's acquittal, was at Jalan Khidmat Usaha, some 200 metres from the exit road of the Duta court complex.
The police cone near a Kembara SUV exploded, resulting in at least one person injured, causing bleeding on both mouth and hand.
According to a witness, Naraza Muda, 38, four people walked in front of him, and the explosion injured a lawyer.
11.16am: The crowd is dispersing. Many people are seen walking away from the court complex.
11.20am: Two persons are believed to have been injured from the series of explosions - one in the hand and the other from a shrapnel in the leg.
PHOTO GALLERY
International observer from Inter-Parliamentary Union Mark Trowell is also here.
8.25am: Former Perak speaker V Sivakumar tells the crowd: "In this court complex, we know what has happened - all our cases in the Perak crisis we lost.
"We know what kind of judgment we will receive but regardless, Malaysians will demand for justice."
8.30am: Student leader Adam Adli, who is embroiled in the controversy for lowering a flag of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, takes the microphone briefly, urging the crowd to destroy Umno.
8.32am: PSM's Nasir Hashim and Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim are seen among the crowd.
8.30am: The accused Anwar Ibrahim and his family arrive to rousing cheers of reformasi from the nearly 6,000 crowd.
There is a bit of commotion as supporters rush to greet them. The crowd surge forward breaking through the police cordon. Some of the supporters fell after being pushed by others from the back.
8.37am: Diplomats and reporters allowed inside court. Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim is also in court.
8.59am: Auntie Bersih arrives at the court complex to show solidarity to Anwar, donning a 'Generation 709' yellow T-shirt.
She tells reporters that she came to the Duta court complex by bus.
"Easy lah to come here," she said, as she tried to avoid the photographers.
"Banyak marah, apa diaorang buat pada rakyat".
9.01am: PAS leaders Abdul Hadi Awang and Mahfuz Omar are among the crowd.
9.05am: A coordinator announces that PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has just arrived and has entered the court complex.
9.07am: PAS president Hadi Awang enters the courtroom along with party vice-president Mahfuz Omar and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.
9.14am: Police Facebook page says that up to 9am, the total crowd size at the 901 rally is estimated at 4,500.
9.15am: DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang is also in court. Court to begin soon.
9.20am: Court begins with justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding.
9.23am: Judge Mohamad Zabidin, in a suprised decision, acquits and discharges Anwar.
9.26am: Zabidin says the court cannot accept the DNA evidence 100 percent. And hence, the court acquits Anwar of the sodomy charge.
Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail cries and hugs her elated husband.
9.32am: In an immediate response, Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah tweets:
"Judge: reading results immediately. Evidence not corroborated. Papa is acquitted! Takbir!"
9.37am: People are hugging each other. Adam Adli and a group of students are jumping with joy. Some are shouting: "Tangkap Saiful" (Arrest Saiful!).
9.41am: Anwar thanks his lawyers.
"I'm finally vindicated after the smearing of my character. I'm thankful to Wan Azizah and the team of lawyers led by Karpal Singh.
He also thanked the support of Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
"We want to continue on the reform agenda, fighting corruption, and freedom of the press."
9.50am: The crowd has moved from the carpark to the foodcourt opposite the Federal Territories Mosque.
Tian Chua and other PKR leaders are addressing the jubilant crowd from the rooftop of the building.
9.56am: Police are not allowing the group enter the mosque as Perkasa and Pekida are inside. The crowd passing the mosque boos at the Perkasa and Pekida members who are watching the them from a distance from within the mosque's compound.
Tian Chua, who is leading the crowd, moves to the food court opposite of the mosque.
9.58am: This proves that all the evidence presented against Anwar is fake, declares Tian Chua.
10.06am: Government servants from the government complex opposite the road overseeing the food court have lined the side staircase on almost every floor to witness the crowd.
10.11am: Sodomy complainant Saiful tweets: "If not in this world, in the afterworld. I accept fate, will remain calm and continue praying."
10.21am: Reaction from Human Rights Watch (HRW):
"Anwar was acquitted on a charge that should have never been brought in the first place," says Phil Robertson, deputy director of HRW's Asia Division.
"Hopefully this verdict sends a message to the government to put this matter to rest."
10.25am: Police are attempting to disperse the pro-Saiful supporters in the Federal Territory mosque to allow Anwar supporters to go inside to perform their prayers.
10.26am: Penang CM Lim Guan Eng says he hopes the persecution of Anwar will end and there will be no "third sodomy trial".
"Attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail should not allow itself to be used as a tool for BN and Umno.
He said that the decision may have an impact on Najib's election chances but it would not be big.
"I think he will not call election immediately after this and we hope Pakatan will register a bigger victory in the next GE," he said.
10.48am: Anwar stops on the road out of the court complex after being mobbed by the media who again press him for a statement.
After a short statement, Anwar was then ushered away in his SUV to go to the Federal Territory mosque opposite the court complex for thanksgiving prayers.
A loud noise, believed to be an explosion, could be heard in the distance. It is learned that it could come from the electricity substation not far from the area.
10.48am: Anwar stops on the road out of the court complex after being mobbed by the media who again press him for a statement.
10.51am: Police say that there was an explosion and they are investigating. The crowd is asked to disperse.
11.04am: A total of three explosiond were heard in the vicinity of the court house since 10.15am. The latest at 10.55am.
Unconfirmed reports say the first was caused by explosives hidden in police cones. The second and third unknown, as of now.
11.06am: Someone releases a firecracker near the site of the protest site, shattering the left side mirror of a vendor van.
Angry protesters began to surround the area attempting to apprehend the culript but are unsuccessful.
"Move out, move out, this is as provocation, just ignore," shouted a participant.
Police immediately moved in and cordon off the area with tape. Police dogs are brought in.
11.07am: Police ask to crowd to "bersurai serta merta kerana keadaan tidak selamat" (to immediately disperse as the situation is unsafe).
PKR vice-president Tian Chua also urges the crowd to disperse.
11.10am: There appeared to be three big explosions - 10.10am, 10.25am and 10.50am, believed to come from firecrackers.
The first incident, which occurred soon after Anwar's acquittal, was at Jalan Khidmat Usaha, some 200 metres from the exit road of the Duta court complex.
The police cone near a Kembara SUV exploded, resulting in at least one person injured, causing bleeding on both mouth and hand.
According to a witness, Naraza Muda, 38, four people walked in front of him, and the explosion injured a lawyer.
11.16am: The crowd is dispersing. Many people are seen walking away from the court complex.
11.20am: Two persons are believed to have been injured from the series of explosions - one in the hand and the other from a shrapnel in the leg.
PHOTO GALLERY
[More to follow]
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