The Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial has been postponed to tomorrow, as lead defence counsel Karpal Singh is down with diarrhoea.

NONE His son and fellow defence lawyer Ram Karpal told the court that Karpal (right) has undergone a blood test for suspected dengue at the Universiti Hospital.

"The blood test was taken on Friday and results are expected today," he said.

Solicitor-General II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden said the prosecution has no objection to the postponement.

"We have known that he has been unwell since yesterday," he said.

High Court judge Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah ruled that the defence will have to appoint other lawyers to cross-examine witnesses tomorrow if Karpal is still unable to come to court.

Defence lawyer Sankara Nair told reporters outside the court that Karpal has had severe diarrhoea since last night and body aches “which could be symptoms of dengue".

"The results of the blood test will only be obtained this afternoon. We wish Karpal well."

sankara nair bukit aman teresea kok isa arrest pc 170908 02 He also said the defence team has yet to obtain a copy of the preliminary medical report on the examination conducted on June 28, 2008 by three Hospital Kuala Lumpur doctors on complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

        

“What we have is an unsigned copy, which is not relevant for us. We still need to get the (signed) copy and we will discuss the next course of action," said Sankara ( left ).

Only the July 13 final medical report has been tendered as evidence.

‘Prospects tough in Batu Sapi’

Anwar, who is PKR de facto leader, commented that the party faces an uphill task in the Batu Sapi by-election in Sabah.

NONE "I admit we have to work hard," he said.

PKR has named Ansari Abdullah as its candidate in the three-way contest with SAPP and BN for the parliamentary seat.

Anwar also commented that PAS has a good chance of retaining the Galas state seat in Kelantan.

Nominations closed this morning for both by-elections which will be held on Nov 4.