Judge to hear Anwar plea

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, APRIL 5. The ongoing trial of Malaysia's deposed Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, is entering a delicate phase, with the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Arifin Jaka, deciding to hear on April 10 arguments about whether or not the Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, should testify.

This follows the filing of a supplementary affidavit by Mr. Anwar in response to Dr. Mahathir's affidavit-in-reply on the question of a testimony by the Prime Minister. The thrust of Mr. Anwar's contention in this regard is that political considerations by the Prime Minister were behind the current case. Mr. Anwar is standing trial now on the allegations of having indulged in unnatural sexual activities. Mr. Anwar is already serving a six- year prison sentence after being convicted almost one year ago on charges of having abused his authority, while in office.

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Section  : International
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