The defence counsel in the 'false news' trial of Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez told the Magistrate's court today that the defence had to complete the testimonies of witnesses from one country before hearing those from other countries due to factors such as cost and time.

Asked by magistrate Juliana Mohamed whether the defence team could bring in witnesses of other nationalities in order to save time considering the shortage of court interpreters for the present Bangladeshi witnesses, lawyer M Puravalen said it was difficult as arrangements have to be made months ahead.

"Firstly, witnesses are arranged in batches from particular countries. The defence team has minimal resources and finances to mobilise witnesses from their villages to the capital city and finally to Malaysia.

"The uncertain nature of when the witnesses will take the stand also makes it practically impossible for the defence team to commence coordination. For the purpose of logistics and finance, we are unable to do so," he said.

The trial, which was last heard on Nov 7 last year, was postponed again today to Jan 22, as the court interpreter arranged for a Bangladeshi witness did not show up.

Juliana adjourned the hearing to next Monday after informing both parties that the Seremban courts interpreter Manoj Kumar, scheduled to appear today, had to leave for Penang this morning.

Mental pressure

The trial has been postponed 47 times since last year due to the unavailability of a Bangladeshi interpreter.

It is understood that the Malaysian courts have only two official Bangladeshi interpreters who work on a very tight schedule.

Puravalen told the court today that although the defence team recognised the efforts taken by the court and prosecution to get an interpreter for the defence witnesses, he hoped that the problem will be solved by the Federal Court as soon as possible.

He added that each time the trial was postponed, the witnesses experienced mental pressure which required counseling and emotional support.

"Furthermore, the witnesses are brought in from foreign countries and the defence team has to bear their costs in Malaysia.

"We also face other difficulties, especially in bringing over the next witnesses as we need time to arrange their subpoenas and visas," Puravalen said.

Juliana then said that she will write a formal letter to the Federal Court to arrange for an interpreter.

Cross-examination

Fernandez is being charged with "maliciously publishing false news" by releasing a memorandum at a press conference in August 1995 on torture and deaths at illegal immigrant detention camps.

The women's rights activist and Keadilan supreme council member faces up to three years in prison if convicted. She is currently out on bail.

The trial which began in June 1996 is the longest ongoing criminal trial in the country's legal history.

Deputy public prosecutor Abdul Rahman Redza is scheduled to cross-examine former immigrant camp detainee Zakir Hussein when the trial resumes next week.