PKR held a briefing for the diplomatic community in Kuala Lumpur today concerning Anwar Ibrahim's second sodomy trial.

The two-hour closed door session took place at the De Palma hotel in Ampang. Among those who attended were representatives from the embassies of Austria, Spain, Britain, Singapore and the European Union.

Speaking at a press conference later, PKR vice president Mustaffa Kamil Ayub said the briefing was held to "update members of the diplomatic community on PKR's perspective of the events and issues surrounding the sodomy allegation."

"We have a right to meet up with the diplomats and present to them our side of the story," he stressed.

NONEPKR deputy president Syed Hussin Ali (right), who was one of those who conducted the briefing, was pleased with what he called "good response from the diplomatic community in Kuala Lumpur."

Asked what transpired during the briefing, the veteran politician was tightlipped on the details.

However, he mentioned that some of the diplomats had expressed "concern over the judiciary, such as who will be appointing the judges (in the upcoming trial)."

Syed Husin claimed that the sodomy trial is an attempt by Umno to weaken Pakatan Rakyat.

Allah issue also raised

Other than the sodomy issue, the briefing also touched on PKR's stand on the ‘Allah' controversy, which made international news following a spate of attacks on churches.

NONEOthers present at the briefing were vice-presidents Lee Boon Chye and R Sivarasa as well as PKR religious understanding bureau chief Muhammad Nur Manuty.

Sivarasa, a lawyer, is also part of the opposition leader's defence team for the sodomy trial, which is to start next Monday.

Commenting on the case, Sivarasa said: "We are prepared for the trial but remain cautious over what may be in store for them."

The briefing is the latest in a series of programmes held by PKR in past weeks to garner support for their beleaguered de facto leader.

Last week, Sivarasa along with PAS parliamentarian Khalid Samad and other PKR leaders kicked off a series of grassroots talks in what is to be a road show to explain and gain public support for Anwar.