High Court bars all from Anwar Ibrahim’s case

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has barred a foreign observer from Lawasia and the Inter Parliamentary Union, as well as Anwar Ibrahim's supporters, from the court for the hearing of the former opposition leader's application.

An interpreter at the court of Justice Nor Bee Ariffin posted a notice outside courtroom this morning, which states that only lawyers and parties in the application are allowed into the court.

Lawasia and IPU representative Mark Trowell wrote in last week to seek permission to be present during the matter.

However, despite writing in, he was disallowed.

Trowell told Malaysiakini that while he respected the position of the judge to conduct the matter in chambers, it was open to her to exercise her discretion to admit an international observer, either in her chambers or if conducting the application in open court.

"The international community is still interested and concerned about legal proceedings concerning Anwar Ibrahim," he said

Anwar is representing himself in his judicial review application on the Pardons Board’s decision rejecting his plea for pardon on the sodomy conviction.

[More to follow]

-Mkini