Saiful unhappy with sodomy trial delays

Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who accused Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomising him, expressed disappointment with the delays of the trial as he made a rare public appearance today.
"I am still in high spirits to wait for the trial date although I am slightly disappointed with the delays... but it would not dampen my spirits in testifying and to uphold justice," he told reporters.
Anwar’s 23-year-old former aide spoke to the media after he showed up at the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) in Kuala Lumpur today. He was last seen in public on Aug 19 at the same venue.
However, his reasons for being at Jawi today remained a mystery as he refused to divulge any details. He merely said his appearance was to quash rumours that he was seriously ill and had died.
Saiful’s re-emergence today comes just a day ahead of the annual PKR congress, where Anwar is, among others, expected to address another issue that has affected his credibility - his failure to topple the BN-led government as promised.
'Slanders and lies'
Anwar’s sodomy trial has been continuously delayed following an ongoing legal battle between the prosecution and defence on where the trial should be heard.
The prosecution wants the case to be heard at the High Court while the defence wants it to remain in the Sessions Court.
Clad in a black suit and songkok, Saiful showed up at the Jawi office at 11.05am, accompanied by his father, Azlan Mohd Lazim and lawyer Zamri Idrus.
They spent about 30 minutes in the office but refused to divulge why they were there despite being pressed by reporters.
When asked whether his presence was related to a qazaf complaint lodged by Anwar, Saiful replied: "No, no, like I said just now, I won’t give any comment on why I am here today."
Anwar had lodged a complaint known as qazaf in Islamic law to request a probe into ‘false allegations’ pertaining to adultery or sexual misconduct.
Saiful’s lawyer Zamri would only say that they were at Jawi "for some discussions".
A check by reporters however revealed that Jawi staff were also in the dark over Saiful’s surprise visit, as one staff member said all department’s officials were out attending a workshop today.
Despite refusing to disclose the reason he was at Jawi, Saiful came prepared, reading out a one-page statement during the three-minute press conference, stating that he is healthy and had not died, contrary to claims on the Internet.
He did not give details of the websites or blogs he was referring to.
"I hereby rebut all the claims and slanders against me which are being circulated on the Internet claiming that I am ill, paralysed and suffering from a sexual disease to the extent that I had died.
"All that is not true, they are slanders and lies created by irresponsible parties. I wish to stress that I am in good health," he added.
'I pray to God everyday'
Taking questions from reporters over the sodomy trial, Saiful said he was prepared to take to the stand, adding that he has been praying to God everyday for a smooth trial.
"I am still resting and trying to calm my feelings. Everyday I pray to God that the trial will go on smoothly. Even though (the trial) is late, everything that has happened will have its repercussions," he said.
To another question, Saiful said he was no longer under police protection.
He declined comment when asked about FT Imam Ramlang Porigi’s confession that the latter was instructed to witness his (Saiful’s) oath at the FT mosque that he was indeed sodomised by Anwar and there were discrepancies in the ceremony.
The opposition has claimed that the confession proved that the sodomy charge was politically-motivated.
"I don’t know about Ramlang Porigi," replied Saiful.
Asked why he has not been updating his blog lately, the 23-year-old said there were a lot of lies being spread on the Internet and therefore it was a "waste of time" for him to spend time on the Internet.
On speculation that he has tied the knot, Saiful - who appeared stunned at the idea - replied: "Married? Insyallah (God willing) if we are fated to be together and perhaps after the court case."

tunku: we are all unhappy with the delays. the sooner the better.just can't wait to see the moron gets what he deserved.we hope the court take this case as their top priority as it is a case of public and world interest.