AUGUST 18 , 2000 VOL. 26 NO. 32 | SEARCH ASIAWEEK

The Long and Winding Case

ALSO:
• Being Judge Arifin: Who is the man behind the guilty verdict?
• Guilty As Charged: Anwar's nine years could be a blow to both UMNO and the opposition

Highlights in Anwar's sodomy trial:

• April 27, 1999 Anwar Ibrahim and his adopted brother Sukma Darmawan are charged with sodomizing Azizan Abu Bakar, the former driver of Anwar's wife.

• June 7 The trial begins in the Kuala Lumpur High Court with judge Arifin Jaka presiding.

• Aug 20 The prosecution closes its case after calling nine witnesses.

• Sept 10 Anwar's lawyer Karpal Singh tells the court a high level of arsenic has been found in Anwar's urine. The trial is postponed and Anwar taken to hospital for examination.

• Sept 16 Azizan is charged with committing khalwat (being in close proximity) with a 22-year-old student named Norhayati Saad. He later marries her.

• Oct 5 Doctors report no clinical signs of acute or chronic arsenic poisoning in Anwar. The trial resumes Oct. 21.

• Oct 22 Anwar opens the defense case. He claims he is the target of a conspiracy involving those close to PM Mahathir Mohamad.

• Nov 10 Mahathir dissolves Parliament in preparation for general elections.

• Nov 12 Arifin takes medical leave, citing back problems. The trial resumes Jan. 25.

• Nov 29 General elections are held.

• Feb 17, 2000 The defense subpoenas Mahathir to appear in court as a witness.

• April 21 Arifin rules that Mahathir need not appear in court.

• June 5 The Court of Appeal rejects the defense's appeal against Arifin's April 21 ruling. Anwar takes the case to the Federal Court.

• July 14 The defense closes its case after calling 31 witnesses.

• Aug 2 The Federal Court dismisses Anwar's appeal to call Mahathir as a defense witness.

• Aug 4 The verdict is initially scheduled for this day but is postponed.

• Aug 8 Arifin pronounces Anwar guilty and sentences him to nine years. Sukma receives six years and four lashes.

Write to Asiaweek at mail@web.asiaweek.com