Prosecution applies to transfer Anwar's case to high court.

Wednesday September 10, 2008 MYT 10:15:43 AM


KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution on Wednesday applied to have Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Anwar's case was set to be mentioned at the Jalan Duta court on Wednesday.

There was heavy police presence outside the Jalan Duta court complex here early Wednesday in anticipation of the crowd expected.

Several truckloads of FRU personnel were deployed in addition to armed uniformed policemen.

Anwar arrived at the court complex at 9.30am in a black Mazda MPV.

He was accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, daughter and lawyer Sankara Nair.

On alighting the car, Anwar was immediately surrounded by members of the press.

Speaking to reporters, Anwar said: "I'm not sure what will happen in court today. I hope bail would not be withheld. There is no basis for the charge in the first place so why talk about the bail?"

His lawyer Sankara said: "If the DPP wants to deny Anwar bail, they'll have to apply and we will respond. The same goes for transferring the case to another court."

Commenting on the Sept 16 deadline for the opposition to form a new government, Anwar said, "Is Sept 16 on track? Very much so. We will comment on that issue in the next one or two days. Next trip, Taipei!"

Anwar then slowly moved to the lift inside the court house to get to the fourth floor where his case was to be mentioned.

The PKR adviser was charged on Aug 7 with sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan. He pleaded not guilty.

He is accused of committing the offence at Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara, between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26.

If convicted, he can be jailed up to 20 years and whipped for voluntarily committing unnatural sex under Section 377B of the Penal Code.