The Kuala Lumpur High Court has fixed Nov 3 for mention of Anwar Ibrahim's application to strike out his sodomy charge and trial.

NONE Anwar arrived in court this morning with his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and a new team of senior lawyers. He had returned on Sunday after performing the umrah (minor haj ).

The legal team now comprises Karpal Singh, Param Cumaraswamy and CV Prabhakaran. Also present were SN Nair, Sivarasa Rasiah, Edmund Bon, Amer Hamzah Arshad and Latheefa Koya.

The prosecution led by DPP Nordin Hassan informed Justice Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah that the appellate court will hear Anwar's appeal on suppression of evidence and the prosecution’s cross-appeal on Oct 23.

“Hence, the prosecution applies for another date for mention some time in November, (pending) the appeal,” said Nordin.

Anwar has invoked Section 51 of the Criminal Procedure Code against the prosecution’s withholding of DNA reports relevant to the alleged sodomy. The opposition leader is also seeking to strike out the sodomy charge.

The prosecution has filed a cross-appeal over Mohd Zabidin's decision in ordering it to give additional documentary evidence to the defence.

The High Court’s Appellate and Special Powers Division, meanwhile, fixed the same day for mention of Anwar's application for judicial review, to quash the prosecution’s written statement against giving favourable facts for defence.

saiful bukhari azlan anwar ibrahim sodomy allegation medical report pusrawi hospital Justice Lau Bee Lan fixed the date in her chambers after meeting with Anwar's counsel and the prosecution.

Anwar, 62, has claimed trial to sodomising former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan (left) , 24, at a condominium in Bukit Damansara on June 26, last year.

Tomorrow, Anwar's application for leave (permission) to bar the current team of prosecutors from his sodomy trial will be heard at the High Court's Appellate and Special Powers Division.

Anwar on Perak

Anwar, when met by reporters outside the court, expressed regret over police action in relation to the Perak assembly sitting called by Pakatan-appointed speaker V Sivakumar.

sivakumar and ganesan perak state assembly 150509 “I feel that (Sivakumar, left in photo ) has the right to call for the assembly (meeting) as he is the rightful speaker appointed by the Perak assembly,” said Anwar.

“The (BN) speaker (R Ganesan, right in photo ) appointed on the floor of the assembly is bogus, and the MIC man is being used as a tool to become the speaker when, in fact, he does not possess any power.”

He said “millions are watching what is happening in Perak today”, just as they did during the fiasco of the last sitting on May 7.

“Despite the blackout by the mainstream (media controlled by) Umno, millions have watched it on YouTube. This assembly is valid as it is called by a valid speaker appointed by the House.”

Today’s sitting was held at the Heritage Hotel in Ipoh. This morning, three Pakatan Rakyat state representatives were arrested while on their way to the proceedings.

On Kota Seputeh, cow-head demo

Commenting on the Election Commission's decision not to call for a by-election in Kota Seputeh, Kedah, Anwar described this “as expected”.

“I have foreseen that the commission would make this decision against the Kedah speaker. As far as I know, the decision by the speaker is final on the position of the assemblyperson, similar to (that in) the Dewan Rakyat.

“I understand that the Kedah menteri besar may challenge the EC declaration in court.”

NONE On the use of a cow’s head in a protest against the relocation of a Hindu temple to Section 23, Shah Alam, Anwar said this was the wrong thing to do.

No one is allowed to denigrate other religions, he said, noting that even Islam forbids this as is mentioned in the Quran.

“I hope the authorities will investigate (the matter) professionally, and not allow activities by such desperate people.”