Hospital Kuala Lumpur surgical specialist Dr Mohd Razali Ibrahim testified at the Kuala Lumpur High Court that sterile equipment was used to examine Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's anus.

Questioned by solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden during the continuation of the examination-in-chief today, the witness said the key equipment used came in a sealed plastic wrapping.

NONE "The proctoscope used is sterile as it is removed from a special packaging," Dr Mohd Razali said.

He said other equipment or tools used were also sterile.

Yesterday, Dr Mohd Razali testified that he had used a proctoscope to examine Saiful's anus.

Cotton buds were also used to gather specimens from Saiful's upper and lower rectum, where semen samples were found.

Probable causes

The doctor also suggested probable causes on why Saiful's perianal (area around the anus) was moist.

"It could be because of the presence of a water-based substance or a lubricant used."

The witness was shown a container of KY Jelly lubricant which was tendered as evidence, and he agreed that it could have been the cause.

Dr Mohd Razali agreed with Mohd Yusof that the KY Jelly could be used as a lubricant in a sexual act or used in the protoscope equipment which he used to examine Saiful.

“However, at the hospital we use the Lignociene gel which has better properties to reduce discomfort,” he said.

Mohd Yusof asked whether both act as lubricants, to which the doctor agreed.

The witness also said that never at any time did Saiful mention during an interview with the three doctors or during examination at the emergency room of the hospital that something else was inserted in his anus.

Mohd Yusof was referring to the Pusrawi Hospital doctor’s report, where Dr Othman Abdul Hamid had in his clinical examination notes wrote that a plastic object had been inserted in Saiful's anus.

Discrepancy in medical report

Outside the court, Anwar's lawyer Karpal Singh had pointed out a discrepancy in the HKL's clinical report dated July 13, 2008.

“It is stated that the laboratory test report was dated July 11, 2008. The HKL report states no conclusive clinical findings suggestive of penetration of the rectum/anus.

“However, now the witness had come up and adduced there is penetration and semen found. Why the sudden change when this was read together with the chemist’s report as he testified yesterday? All this would be addressed during cross-examination,” he said.

Asked as to the report's findings over the presence of two male DNA specimens in the semen sample taken from Saiful's anus, the senior lawyer said the matter would be addressed during cross-examination.

Karpal noted that the defence is facing an uphill battle in the case as the documents and evidence are being withheld by the prosecution.

“That is why we have to make the application today to file the notice of motion to get the necessary documentation and evidence,” he said.

The cross-examination of Dr Razali will be done on July 14, when the trial resumes.