The Shah Alam High Court today postponed the appeal of Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor against his conviction under Official Secrets Act to October.

Justice K N Segara set Oct 30 for the appeal hearing when he met defence lawyers Raja Aziz Addruse and Zainur Zakaria and deputy public prosecutor Vong Poh Fah in chambers this morning.

Ezam informed reporters that his appeal was deferred as the court had more urgent cases to dispose off by justice Segara.

Other than Ezam's appeal, a drug case and an appeal against a rape conviction were also listed in the court's schedule today.

"The court felt there is no urgency in the appeal considering that I am free on bail and no longer under detention," he said.

Ezam's supporters who were in the court room appeared amused with the reason of the postponement given the heavy police presence that accompanied Ezam before he was granted bail.

"The authorities were so serious then (about the case), now suddenly this case is unimportant," said one of the two dozen supporters milling outside the courtroom.

Secret ACA files

On Aug 7, 2000, Ezam was found guilty of breaching Section 8(1) of the OSA for revealing secret documents on alleged abuse of power and corruption by International Trade and Industry minister Rafidah Aziz and former Malacca Chief Minister Rahim Tamby Chik.

He was alleged to have leaked Anti-Corruption Agency's investigation papers regarding the two politicians during a press conference at Keadilan headquarters in Menara Phileo Damansara three years ago.

The documents stated that the ACA had found evidence of graft and recommended action to be taken against the two. To date, no charges have been filed against Rafidah and Rahim.

Sessions judge Wan Afrah Wan Ismail, now a judicial commissioner, was satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced him to two years' imprisonment.

Ezam, who was at that time detained under the Internal Security Act, was immediately sent to the Kajang prison to start serving his sentence.

He was however released last month after he was allowed a stay of execution - an application he made after the expiry of his two-year ISA detention.