The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who faces trial on sodomy charges, fought Wednesday to prevent the politically-charged case from being moved to the High Court.

Anwar has rejected the allegations levelled by a 23-year-old former aide-the same charge that saw him jailed a decade ago-as a government conspiracy to derail his plan to topple the ruling coalition. His supporters fear authorities might be able to manipulate the case more easily at the High Court, and that seeking a transfer is little more than a delaying tactic. At a Sessions Court hearing, defence lawyers opposed an application to transfer the case filed by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, who Anwar is suing in connection with his original trial on sodomy and corruption charges. "For Gani to sign the order is ridiculous, he's an interested party and it is an ambush," Anwar told reporters after the hearing. In a win for the defence, the Sessions Court judge made the unusual decision of setting a September 24 hearing for the opposition to present its case against transfer to the High Court. Instructions from the attorney-general are not usually disputed, and the prosecution objected to the timing of the hearing, which will take place after the September 16 date by which Anwar is aiming to seize power.

"Two weeks is too long a time. This is a public interest case," government lawyer Yusof Zainal Abidin said.

Anwar's lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah accused the government of delaying tactics, and said there was no need to shift the case as sodomy trials are usually held in the lower court.

"It is going to be a waste of time if they transfer to the High Court, because they have to start the whole process again, and explain to the new judge what it's all about," he said.