Lead defence counsel in the Sodomy II trial Karpal Singh says the call by lead prosecutor and Solicitor-General II Yusof Zainal Abiden for an appeal is “misplaced”.

Karpal said Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail has the discretion under Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution whether to file an appeal, but he should consider the impact of the trial on Anwar Ibrahim and his family.

NONE “Anwar’s trial extended over a period of three years.

“The decision of (judge) Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah is based on findings of fact, which an appellate court is slow to overrule in an appeal,” he said in a statement today.

Karpal said the attorney-general should not appeal in the interest of all parties concerned in order for there to be closure.

Yesterday, Yusof was quoted by TV3 as urging the attorney-general to appeal against Anwar's acquittal. This followed a similar call by complainant Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s father .

'Unprecedented'

Attempts to contact Yusof for further clarification have been futile. It is understood that he is currently on leave until Feb 1, when he retires.

The attorney-general's chambers has 14 days from the date of the delivery of the verdict by the High Court to appeal the decision. It has thus far not indicated that it would do so.

Meanwhile, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang opinined that the TV3 report last night was "extraordinary" and "unprecedented".

"This must be the first case of its kind where any prosecution team goes public to lobby and pressure the attorney-general to file any appeal," he said. 

In a statement today, Lim warned that any appeal by the attorney-general wouldl lose whatever credibility and goodwill earned by the Najib administration both nationally and abroad.

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