An account of the trial and related events, written by a Queen’s counsel, will be in a bookstore near you soon.
KUALA
LUMPUR: A book recounting the Sodomy II trial of Opposition Leader
Anwar Ibrahim and issues surrounding it will hit local bookstores in
September.
Entitled “Sodomy II”, it is written by Queen’s Counsel Mark Trowell
of Australia, who observed the trial in its entirety for several
international organisations, particularly the Inter-Parliamentary Union
(IPU).
Published by Marshall Cavendish Editions, the book is more than 300 pages thick and will be priced at RM39.90.
“It’s a… day-to-day factual account of the trial from a legal
perspective written by a lawyer,” Trowell said in an interview with FMT.
He hopes that it will be of interest to Malaysians. “They can decide whether the trial was fair or not.”
Although the book includes observations about the Malaysian judicial
process and the political climate in which the trial took place, Trowell
maintains that it is not a commentary on the Malaysian judiciary or
Malaysian politics.
“I know that some people would try and draw me out in terms of making
a political comment, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for an
outsider.
“I’m not here to tell Malaysians how to run their country. That would be offensive and impertinent.”
Trowell observed the case on behalf of the IPU, LAWASIA, the
International Commission of Jurists, the Commonwealth Lawyers
Association and Union Internationale des Advocats.
Previously, in 2001, he observed DAP strongman Karpal Singh’s
sedition trial for LAWASIA. Karpal was Anwar’s lead counsel in Sodomy
II.
Trowell also observed Anwar’s appeal against the 1998 sodomy verdict.
Hollow threat
The book contains a complete timeline of events, covering Anwar’s
political comeback in 2008, the sodomy allegation made by his former
aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari, subsequent investigations and the trial
itself, from its beginning on Feb 3, 2010, until Anwar’s acquittal last
Jan 9.
Trowell said the international community was concerned over the
second sodomy accusation against Anwar, particularly in light of the
much criticised first sodomy trial in 1998.
He acknowledged that his reports to the IPU did not sit well with
Putrajaya. Those were the reports that the IPU depended on in its
criticism of Sodomy II.
“At one stage, Malaysia threatened to pull out of the IPU,” he said. “But it was a hollow threat.”
He also acknowledged that he was at one time accused of being a mouthpiece for Anwar’s legal team.
He said he was both critical and supportive of both sides in the trial, but denied having any links with Anwar.
“I haven’t seen any money,” he said, laughing. “It’s unfortunate that
I’ll be criticised by anybody who doesn’t like the book. It’s
unfortunate they can’t enter into a reasoned argument or debate about
it.”
The book should be of interest not only to those interested solely in
the court case, but also those seeking some insight into current
Malaysian politics although it revolves primarily around Anwar.
“The political background is very important because Anwar’s political
fortunes seem forever to be bound up in the legal process,” Trowell
said. “It would have broken most people, I think.”
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