Anwar opts to testify from the dock

By Debra Chong

August 22, 2011

Anwar arrives for his Sodomy II trial at the Jalan Duta court complex in Kuala Lumpur on August 22, 2011. With him his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — In a critical move to defend himself in his sodomy trial, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chose today to give a statement from the dock in the High Court, where he cannot be cross-examined by the prosecution.

Under the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), the opposition leader has three choices in defending himself.

He can choose to testify from the witness box, where he can face a barrage of questions from the prosecution; or testify from the dock, where the prosecution has no chance to question him. As a third option, Anwar can choose to keep mum.

High Court judge Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah warned Anwar that the court will take into account his choice as it leaves no room for the prosecution to challenge his statement.