Hope for one 'courageous' judge dashed, Anwar says wait for GE14

Anwar Ibrahim has claimed there are no courageous individuals in the judiciary to hear his argument concerning the allegation that senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was paid RM9.5 million to secure a conviction against him.

"This is crucial to the case. Why can't anyone see this as this (issue or allegation) is not answered?

"Why can't this evidence be adduced and answered," he asked those in the Kuala Lumpur High Court, which dismissed his attempt to set aside his second sodomy conviction and sentence. 

Responding to a journalist later, the jailed former opposition leader said he was not surprised by the court's decision but still could not help feeling disappointed.

"I was hoping for one avenue where there is one judge with the courage and conviction. Otherwise, we wait for GE 14,” he added to shouts of "reformasi" from his supporters.

Although today's decision was on his application claiming that fraud evidence was procured from the prosecution witnesses to secure his conviction, Anwar also filed an application to set aside his sentence and conviction based on the RM9.5 million allegation.

Sarawak Report had alleged that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak paid Shafee RM9.5 million to Shafee, who acted as the chief prosecutor in Anwar's Sodomy II case when the matter was heard at the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal on March 7, 2014, overturned the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision which acquitted Anwar and sentenced him to five years in prison.

The Federal Court on Feb 10, 2015, upheld the conviction of sodomising his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Shafee has described the allegation as nonsense.

The challenge by Anwar on Shafee allegedly receiving the sum and that he was denied a fair trial was also struck out by the High Court on Nov 8, last year.  -Mkini