Najib Razak is determined to throw his arch rival Anwar into jail at all costs to neutralize his growing political clout.

Judge slammed for rushing case: Karpal still recovering

In healthier times: Karpal with Anwar at the court canteen

Malaysia Chronicle

Pakatan Rakyat leaders slammed the judge presiding over the sodomy case against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim for his insensitive behavior towards lead defense counsel Karpal Singh and insisting that the trial continue even if he was still ill on Wednesday.

They also expressed alarm at the pressure Judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah appeared to be piling on the 70-year old wheelchair-bound Karpal.

The Bukit Gelugor MP, Karpal is also a popular politician known for his straight-punching style. He is regarded by many to be a living legend in the Malaysian political scene.

“The court seems bent on rushing through the trial without basic regards to fairness and justice. But justice cannot be rushed. Karpal has valid reasons for not being able to attend,” PKR information chief Latheefa Koya told Malaysia Chronicle.

Justice cannot be rushed

MP for Puchong Gobind Singh Deo had also protested against the shabby treatment meted out to Karpal, who is his father.

Watched by his wife as he takes tests

“With YB Karpal. He is unwell. Just got up having been ill all night. Will be going to University Hospital for treatment now,” Gobind had said on Twitter.

“Judge says Anwar case must proceed tomorrow even if Counsel ill.. What has the Bar Council have to say about that?”

Two hours later, Gobind informed that Karpal was now stable and recovering. But it is still unclear if he will be well enough to go to court on Wednesday.

“ Doctors need to run more tests. Hopefully he will be discharged and able to get back to work tomorrow,” said Gobind.

Pre-decided?

The internationally-condemned sodomy trial against Anwar is in its final phase and all eyes are on a ‘missing’ medical report on the complainant Saiful Bukhari Azlan that was not tendered by the prosecution as evidence.

Trial already pre-decided?

Instead the prosecution had used a later-dated report that contained much lesser information into the medical history and background of the complainant.

“The way the court is bulldozing the case through, does it matter who is around to represent Anwar? The verdict already seems to be pre-decided and the proceeding just a formality,” PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

There has also been talk that Najib would only dare to call for snap general elections after Anwar is behind bars.

Anwar, the 62-year-old PKR adviser, was accused of sodomizing Saiful at Unit 11-5-1 of the Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

He has denied the charges and accused Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor of collaborating with Saiful to frame him and derail his political comeback.

26/10/10

mi1: Is Najib that nasty, desperado and dirty politician as Mahathir!!!