Sodomy II: Anwar loses final appeal

A three-member Federal Court panel today dismissed Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's appeal to strike out his second sodomy charge in 10 years.

The bench comprising Chief Judge Malaya Justice Arifin Zakaria, Justice James Foong and Court of Appeal judge Suriyadi Halim Omar ruled the matter should go for a full trial despite objections from the defence that medical reports show no sign of penetration.

In announcing the unanimous decision, Arifin said the medical report should be read in its entirety.

"It does not support the appellant's claim for the charge to be struck out," he said.

With today's decision, the on-going sodomy trial will continue next Monday with the cross-examination of the complainant, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan