updated version

The Sessions Court today ordered Keadilan Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, currently being held under the Internal Security Act, to enter his defence against charges of leaking Anti-Corruption Agency investigation papers by two high ranking officials.

"It's been proven that there is a case under Section 8(1)(c) and 8(1) of the Official Secrets Act. Defence should be called," said judge Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim.

She said the court will begin hearing the defence case for three days beginning Nov 27.

Ezam is accused of disclosing at a press conference on Nov 6, 1999 at the Keadilan headquarters, details of an ACA investigation into International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz and former Melaka Mentri Besar Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik.

It is believed that the investigation papers were then sent to the Attorney-General's chambers for further action. However, no action has been taken so far against the two politicians.

The 34-year-old former political secretary of ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim faces a mandatory jail term of not less than one year, and not more than seven years, if convicted.

After the trial, Ezam told reporters that he would be calling Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar and Rafidah to testify.

"I want the PM to be present. Anwar should be here because he saw the document and Rafidah, the culprit, should be here as well," he said.

Zainur Zakaria, Ezam's lead counsel, when asked to confirm this, told malaysiakini that he would have to consult his client before calling any witnesses.

Not habitable

Ezam also requested the court to transfer him from the Sentul district police headquarters where he is presently being remanded to the city police headquarters or a normal prison.

"The cell I was put in measured six by eight feet and it had no fan, tables or chairs. It is not habitable," said Ezam who was brought from the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak yesterday.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Vong Poh Fah then told the judge that he would speak with the detaining authorities and look into Ezam's request

Ezam has also been on a hunger strike since last Tuesday, protesting against the authorities in Kamunting who he claims are violating his rights as well as the rights of five other Keadilan and reformasi leaders.

"On average all of us have lost two to six pounds and we are subsisting on nothing else but biscuits and water," he said.

Ezam was among 10 Keadilan and reformasi leaders detained under the ISA in April for their alleged involvement in a militant attempt to overthrow the government.

While four were later released unconditionally, Ezam and five others were ordered to be detained in Kamunting.

Ezam, dressed in slacks and a blue short-sleeved shirt, looked calm and composed throughout the hearing. Also present were Ezam's wife Bahirah Tajol Aris and the couple's three children.

After the hearing, Ezam celebrated his youngest son, Mohamed Haaris', birthday outside the court. He was then driven off in a white van with some 50 supporters following closely behind shouting 'Reformasi! Reformasi!'