Anwar May Halt Sex-Trial Defense

Imprisoned politician Anwar Ibrahim told his lawyers Friday to consider ending efforts to defend him after a judge ruled that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was not required to testify at Anwar’s sex trial.

The judge’s decision ended a six-month effort by defense lawyers to subpoena Mahathir. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, contends that he was framed in a plot masterminded by Mahathir to crush his onetime protege’s political career.

If he is convicted, Anwar, 53, could receive up to 20 years in prison. He already is serving a six-year term for corruption. In both trials, defense lawyers have repeatedly blamed the judge for blocking their arguments and not allowing Anwar a fair defense.

Anwar’s “confidence in the administration of justice has been completely eroded,” defense lawyer Christopher Fernando told the court. “His immediate reaction now is to abandon this trial because he feels his chances of succeeding” are slim.

Fernando then asked High Court Judge Ariffin Jaka to adjourn the hearing until Wednesday to give Anwar time to reconsider his decision. If Anwar abandons his defense, his lawyers will not give final arguments, and the judge will rule based on the evidence presented. Anwar is on trial on charges of sodomizing his former driver.

Earlier Friday, Ariffin had rejected a defense plea for Mahathir--in power since 1981--to testify in the sensational sex trial. The judge said that there was no evidence to show that Mahathir was involved in a “political conspiracy to fabricate evidence of sodomy to topple Anwar Ibrahim.”

Anwar, who was fired by Mahathir in September 1998, jumped up and shook his fist at the judge.

“Dr. Mahathir should have the moral courage to come to this court and not hide behind your cloak!” he yelled, pounding the wooden guard rail of the dock with his fist. “Where is the justice in this court?”