Anwar Ibrahim has applied to interview 10 alibi witnesses before they take the stand during defence proceedings in his sodomy trial.

His lawyers filed the application today at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, to supplement an application filed on July 26 to interview five high-profile defence witnesses before they testify.

NONE The latest list includes at least two more high-profile names, including former Malaysian Institute of Economic Research executive director Mohamad Ariff Abdul Kareem and Bursa Saham Malaysia chief operating officer Omar Malek Ali Merican.

Anwar (right) had initially filed an application to interview five high-profile witnesses before they take the stand when the defence proceedings resume on Aug 8.

They include Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor and former police chief Musa Hassan.

The others are Hasanuddin Hamid - the owner of the condominium unit where the sodomy allegedly took place and former Malacca police chief Mohd Rodwan Mohd Yusof.

Prosecution's duty

Defence lawyer Ram Karpal Singh said the latest application is specifically to interview the 10 alibi witnesses.

He said both applications are expected to be heard on Wednesday.

Ram said the defence is using the same argument for both applications, in that the prosecution is legally bound to make sure all witnesses requested attend the interview sessions.

He said the prosecution has already filed objections to their first application, arguing that the defence can subpoena the witnesses if their attendance is required.

NONE Ram (right in photo) however pointed out that applying to subpoena the witnesses to make them attend interviews by the defence “defeats the purpose” of the prosecution having offered a list of witnesses in the first place.

“The fact that five witnesses came from the list of witnesses that we requested shows that they (prosecution) realise they have a duty to compel the attendance of the witnesses,” he told journalists today.

Last month, trial judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah had set Aug 8-26 to hear the defence case, after ruling that the complainant is a “truthful and credible witness”.

Anwar had claimed trial in the Sessions Court on Aug 7, 2008, to a charge of committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature at Kondominium Desa Damansara in Bukit Damansara between 3.10pm and 4.30pm on June 26 the same year.