PUTRAJAYA, Feb 10, 2015:
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s plan to overturn his sodomy conviction in the land’s highest court failed today after the Federal Court upheld the Court of Appeal’s ruling.
The Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament was found guilty of sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
The decision was read out by Chief Justice Tun Ariffin Zakaria, who represented the five-man bench in a packed courthouse.
The other four judges on the panel were Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif and Federal Court judges Tan Sri Abdull Hamid Embong, Tan Sri Suriyadi Halim Omar and Datuk Ramly Ali.
Ahead of the decision, police had tightened security outside the court and closed the road in front of the Palace of Justice (PoJ) in Presint 2 here while entrances outside the PoJ were also cordoned off to members of the public.
Media personnel were issued passes to enter the courtroom, while access was limited for visitors and supporters.
Police presence was increased, with groups of 4-5 policemen posted at strategic locations, including the PoJ entrance, in the main lobby and outside the courtroom.
Rule 137 of the Federal Court Rules 1995 allows the losing party to seek a review of a Federal Court decision.
Although the Federal Court has the jurisdiction to review its own decision to prevent any injustice and abuse of the court process, generally this will only be exercised in very exceptional circumstances.