An opposition leader today called on Chief Justice Dzaiddin Abdullah to fix a date for the thrice-delayed appeal of ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim against corruption charges as 'justice delayed is justice denied'.

DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang described the reason given by the Attorney-General's Chambers that it had too little time to prepare for the appeal case as 'outrageous and preposterous'.

"The reason for this third postponement is completely unacceptable as AG Abdul Gani Patail was not only responsible for prosecuting Anwar in 1998 on sodomy and corruption charges but had also handled Anwar's Federal Court appeal as head of prosecution," said Lim.

In a statement released yesterday by his lawyer, Sankara Nair, Anwar had expressed his disappointment over the 'eleventh-hour postponement' of his case for the third time on Jan 11.

Anwar said he rejected the reasons given for the delay and in protest, had started on a 'stringent fast' at the Sungai Buloh prison.

Evidence fabrication

According to Anwar, the postponement was an indication that the new AG was following instructions of the prime minister who "is obviously apprehensive of the compelling legal arguments that would be presented in court by my lawyers".

The original appeal date on Nov 27, 2000 was put off indefinitely due to Anwar's spinal problem while the second date fixed for Nov 12, 2000 was postponed as one of the judges on the panel was hospitalised.

The appeal before the Federal Court, if it had proceeded as scheduled next Monday, would take place only days before the Indera Kayangan by-election in Perlis where Keadilan's candidate Khoo Yang Chong is in a straight fight with Barisan National's Oui Ah Lan.

Lim in his statement also questioned Gani's suitability in handling the case as he (Gani) still has not explained himself to the Federal Court with regard to his conduct in the Zainur Zakaria contempt of court case.

"Gani should recuse himself from handling the matter and delegate it to another top officer in the AG's Chambers as there are serious charges of obstruction of justice leveled against him," said Lim.

Firearms possession

Gani was appointed AG early this month amidst allegations that he, as chief prosecutor during Anwar's trials, had coerced witness S Nallakaruppan to fabricate evidence against the ex-deputy premier in exchange for a lighter sentence.

Nallakaruppan, who was Anwar's tennis partner, was charged with illegal possession of firearms which upon conviction carries the mandatory death sentence.

Gani was asked by the Federal Court, when it dismissed the case against Zainur Zakaria (who was then Anwar's lawyer), to explain the allegations of 'fabrication of evidence' against Anwar.

Anwar was sentenced to six years jail after being found guilty by the High Court on April 14, 1999 for abusing his power in requesting the police to retract statements from two persons, Azizan Abu Bakar and Ummi Hafilda Ali, who had accused him of sexual misconduct.

Anwar's appeal to reverse this verdict was unanimously dismissed by a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal on April 29 last year.

In addition to this six-year jail term, Anwar was also found guilty of committing sodomy and was sentenced to another nine years in jail by the High Court on Aug 8 last year.