Karpal says Yusof's appeal call 'misplaced'

Lead defence counsel in the Sodomy II trial Karpal Singh said the call by lead prosecutor and Solicitor-General II Yusof Zainal Abiden for an appeal was “misplaced”.

Karpal said Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail has the discretion under Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution whether to file an appeal but he should consider the impact of the trial on Anwar Ibrahim and his family.

“Anwar’s trial has extended over a period of three years.

“The decision of (judge) Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah is based on findings of fact, which an appellate court is slow to overrule in an appeal,” he said in a statement today.

Karpal said the attorney-general should not appeal in the interest of all parties concerned in order for there to be closure.

Yesterday, Yusof was quoted by TV3 urging the attorney-general to appeal against Anwar's acquittal. This follows similar calls by complainant Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s father.

'Unprecedented'

Attempts to contact Yusof for further clarification has been futile. It is understood that he is currently on leave until Feb 1 when he retires.

The attorney-general chambers 14 days to appeal the High Court decision. It has thus far not indicated that it would do so.

Meanwhile, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang opinined that the TV3 report last night was "extraordinary" and "unprecedented".

"This must be the first case of its kind where any prosecution team goes public to lobby and pressure the attorney-general to file any appeal," he said. 

In a statement today, Lim warned that any appeal by the attorney-general will lose whatever credibility and goodwill earned by the Najib administration both nationally and abroad.