Anwar is back in court for yet another trial widely referred to as Sodomy II, a decade after his first sodomy trial.
Saiful gives a press conference outside the courtroom - Photos by Tian Chua
The crowd outside the courtroom
Feb 022010
Dec 062009
The more things change, the more they remain the same in Malaysian politics. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has failed to get a court to strike out a sodomy charge against him, which means the controversial trial that threatens to bump him from politics and land him in prison is set to begin on 25 January.
It will represent the second time Anwar faces charges of sodomy, which is considered a criminal act in Malaysia’s Muslim majority society. This time, he faces charges of sodomizing his 24-year-old former personal aide at a condominium in Kuala Lumpur in mid-2008.
Feb 172009
Photos by a citizen reporter providing us with live coverage
Supporters wait anxiously outside court
Nov 122008
Just received word that RPK’s sedition trial will resume on 16-19 Dec.
Oct 132008
Supporters cheer and wave at RPK as the van he is in leaves the courthouse this morning (Photos by Rakyat@Work)
The crowd knocks on the side of the van: “We are with you, RPK!”
Blogger Whisperer sums up the mood:
Many teary eyes around today. I won’t put it as disappointment. It’s purely sadness. I went into the courtroom to convey my support to Pete. I could sense something was wrong as Pete wasn’t himself today. I suppose he expected the postponement. My heart bled and my tears broke free. I wasn’t alone.
Perhaps you need to be here to understand. There is this special bond… a bond that binds all of us together like a big family. Yeah… a big compassionate family. A new era? Another new beginning? Certainly, a positive one.
Come 10 November, come and be part of this special bond and let this special bond rise and spread across this Nation.
Again, I would like to say this: It’s worth the sacrifice to be here!
Rakyat@Work reports on what was supposed to be Day Four of the RPK trial:
0940: The van finally leaves the compound, much to the sadness and disappointment of those present, who had wanted to spend more time with RPK. Some quickly send out text messages to friends who had plans to come later. Everyone starts dispersing and reminding one another about the next dates: 10-12 November. We will be back! Long live RPK, Long live Marina, Long live the true rakyat of Malaysia. Long live Justice!
0930: People are still walking, oblivious to what’s happening. Well, everyone is reluctant to leave until RPK leaves. So, all of us wait for the familiar van to move out. We have a little more time to see the van ‘cos it is blocked by another car. The van backs up and excitement mounts as some of the crowd knock against the side of the van to let RPK know we are still with him.
“He’s blindfolded, isn’t it?” asks a woman.
The crowd continues to shout in Raja Petra’s direction: “We are with you!”
Then the van stops. What’s happening? “The driver needs to go to the toilet,” someone remarks and everyone bursts out laughing. I suppose RPK is also laughing inside. More pictures below Continue reading »