Confusion reigned at Anwar Ibrahim's qazaf appeal case at the Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court today.

The matter was stipulated for case management and the confusion centred around the time for the meeting with the chief registrar of the Syariah Court.

Lawyers, representing Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom, claimed that it was set for 9am, while Anwar's lawyers argued that it was scheduled for 11am.

As a result, lawyers representing Jamil Khir met with chief registrar of the Syariah Court in Kuala Lumpur, Mohd Khairul Nizam Kassim, and the Federal Territory Islamic Department at 10am, without the other side present.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting in chambers, Jamil Khir's lawyers led by Roslizam Rahim told reporters that Anwar was supposed to reply to their affidavit and appoint lawyers but had not done so.

"Out of justice, the court granted Anwar more time until July 6 to reply to our client’s affidavit and appoint his lawyers," he said, adding that the appointment can be made from prison.

Anwar's lawyer Rafie Mohd Shafie ( photo ) was the first to arrive and showed a letter from Jamil Khir's lawyers saying that the case management was set at 11am.

"This is their letter informing us, so here we are," he said.

Anwar’s other lawyer, Kamar Ainiah Kamaruzaman, explained that the former opposition leader has to be brought here to appoint lawyers as the case originates in Kuala Lumpur.

"We cannot be appointed by him in Sungai Buloh as it is under Selangor," she said adding that this fiasco was as a result of the inefficiency of Jamil Khir's lawyers.

At present, Rafie and Kamar Ainiah are meeting with the chief registrar.

Unethical manner

After emerging from the chambers, Kamar Ainiah told reporters that Khairul Nizam had set the case management time early but Jamil's lawyers did not inform his legal team.

“This is truly unethical and a misrepresentation by them (Jamil Khir's lawyers) for not informing us of the time. Is this justice in Islam?” the lawyer asked.

“We have also asked to court to use its discretion in issuing an order to produce (OTP) to the Sungai Buloh Prison for Anwar to be present in court on July 6. This is for Anwar to appoint his lawyers to represent him in the minister's striking-out application,” she said.

Kamar Ainiah ( photo ) said Jamil Khir's lawyers initially wanted to bulldoze their case by filing submissions and fixed the matter for hearing but the chief registrar granted more time to the other party.

She said the court had the inherent jurisdiction to ask Anwar to come from the prison, since the lawyers could not make the application as they have not been officially appointed.

As this is a new application by Jamil Khir and the Federal Territory Islamic Department and its chief prosecutor, Anwar has to appoint new lawyers to represent him, she said.

“It is not automatic in syariah proceedings that we represent him as wakallah (appointment) of lawyers have to be made for new applications,” Kamar Ainiah said, adding that Jamil Khir's lawyers sent the striking out application to Anwar and not to them.

She added that Anwar wrote to court, in his own handwriting, on June 11 to say that he would contest the striking out application to the end, and would appoint lawyers to represent him.

Asked as to whether Anwar would file his affidavit in reply that same day (July 6), she said the former opposition leader would first have to appoint his lawyers before answering Jamil Khir's affidavit.

Anwar's daughter and Lembah Pantai MP, Nurul Izzah Anwar, was saddened and dejected that this could take place in the Syariah Court.

“My father should be given the due process of the law and he has to be brought here,” Nurul Izzah said.

PKR president and Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said initially they were informed that Anwar would come today, but Anwar was not there when his family and the lawyers arrived.

“Their lawyers also gave different instructions to our side and this is something that I regret. This should not happen,” said Wan Azizah, who was present with her children and grandchildren in the hope of meeting Anwar.