"Executive influence" was present in the sodomy trial of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, lawyer Karpal Singh ( photo ) told the Court of Appeal today.

When submitting that the prosecution ought not to have even commenced the sodomy case against Anwar, Karpal said that it was the executive influence which led the prosecution to act as it did in prosecuting Anwar.

"I don't believe that the former Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah (who led the prosecution of Anwar) believed in what he did. No properly trained legal officer would have done what he did. The executive influence propelled this prosecution.

"Unfortunately the AG is the legal adviser to the government. He is not independent. It is the executive influence which resulted in these charges (against Anwar)," submitted Karpal.