Lawyers acting on behalf of Utusan Malaysia have once again tried to cite former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s second sodomy case in their plea to reduce the quantum of damages to be paid to the politician.

During cross-examination today, Utusan ’s lawyer, Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin, asked Anwar why the latter was incarcerated in the Sungai Buloh Prison. This, despite Anwar’s illustrious career as a politician and Muslim democrat.

“Could you tell us why you are detained in the Sungai Buloh prison,” he asked Anwar who was on the witness stand.

Anwar did not provide an answer to this and it was apparent how this particular question by Firoz had caused unease among Anwar’s supporters who had packed the court room at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

To this, Anwar’s lawyer N Surendran ( photo ), interjected and pointed out that this question was irrelevant.

“This is an assessment of damages, there is no need for further arguments,” he said.

High Court judge Hue Siew Kheng later allowed Firoz to include the particular question on Anwar’s sodomy conviction in his submission.

This will be deliberated by the judge in the hearing which will continue at 10am tomorrow.

All around, Anwar’s supporters smiled widely after the judge announced this, most likely ecstatic of being able to see their venerated leader again tomorrow.

The opposition leader was seen smiling at his supporters and occasionally waving at them throughout today’s hearing. Clad in a black suit, it was also clear that the former opposition leader has lost a considerable amount of weight.

Article tarnished reputation

When examined by Surendran today, Anwar had tried to justify how Utusan ’s article had tarnished his reputation.

“The article had adverse effects because it gave a picture as though I was not a practising Muslim.

“Therefore, this had influenced a part of the Muslim community in the last general elections,” he said.

Later, his supporters broke into cries of “Reformasi”, “Hidup Anwar” and “Tangkap Najib” as he was being led away by prison guards.

Anwar was at the High Court today to testify over the assessment of damages which the Umno-owned daily was supposed to pay him.

Justice Hue yesterday dismissed Utusan 's stay application as there was “no merit in the application”, and ordered Anwar to attend court to help assess the damages.

Utusan was found liable in defaming Anwar over an article it published regarding his interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).