Mystery witness is is Saifool's former collegemate...

The sodomy II trial continues today with Chemistry Department director-general Lim Kong Boon expected to take the witness stand. Lim is likely to clarify the status of the department's forensic lab certification under ISO 17025, which is evaluated by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board, or ASCLD.

The status is in dispute following revelations that the forensic lab has not obtained the 17025 certification. However, the focus today will certainly be on the identity of the mystery witness for Anwar Ibrahim's defence. The individual is not on the prosecution's list of 71 witnesses and is not an alibi witness.

Lawyers for Anwar have been tightlipped over the identity of the witness for fear that undue pressure could be put on the person. It is learnt that this was a tit-for-tat move on the part of the defence in response to the prosecution's failure to provide a list of their witnesses earlier in the trial. However, the defence team has revealed that spine specialist Dr Thomas Hoogland, who operated on Anwar's back, will testify on Thursday.

9.48am: Court proceeding begins with Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding.

Lim Kong Boon, the director of Forensic division takes the stand.

9.54am: Lim, 57, who had testified in the first sodomy trial more than a decade ago, said that in 2005, he was head of the serious crimes unit of the division.

Responding to questions from Ramkarpal Singh, Lim said that since 2005, the division was under the Legacy programme of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board ASCLD.

9.59am: He said since then, their application had been extended three times by ASCLD. Lim testified that the Legacy programme ended last year, but was extended. "We were granted an extension on April 18, 2011, until Oct 18, 2011."

10.02am: Lim says the Legacy programme is not the ISO 17025 certification. "It is a different programme." He denied suggestions that the lab is not competent, but said the ASCLD had yet to evaluate the lab. Lim is now being questioned by Yusof.

10.05am: In replying to questions from Yusof, the witness says they did apply for ISO 17025 with (standards regulatory authority) Sirim, as they applied in 2000, but they said it is not relevant for the Forensic division to apply to.

10.07am: The extension, he says, was to provide time for the transition from the Legacy programme to the International programme. "The international programme comprises of ISO 17025, as the international programme is more stringent as it complies to international standards and also applies to supplemental requirement for forensic science lab." "These are addition to 17025."

10.11am: Lim says the ISO 17025 is insufficient alone in forensic testing. "We are still accreditated to the Legacy programme."

10.14am: Ramkarpal asks whether the Chemistry Department Forensic Department is accreditated with other qualifications.

Lim says it is accreditated with management programme.

The witness is released from the stand.

N Sankara asks for short break until his mystery witness comes.

"He is on his way."

Yusof asks the relevance of this witness, as it is not in the prosecution list.

10.17am: Justice Zabidin asks to meet parties inside his chambers.

Court stands down.

11.11am: Parties are back in court. The mystery witness is a male Malay, said to be Saiful's course mate. The mystery witness is a male Malay and is currently in the witness room. He is wearing black coat over a white long-sleeved shirt. He is of the same height as Saiful, about 175cm. The witness was escorted by one of Sankara Nair's aides.

11.22am: Court resumes.

Mohd Najwan b Halimi is called(left). Witness says he is working as aide to Anwar in his capacity as Selangor economic advisor.

11.24am: Mohd Najwan says he knew Saiful since 2003, and stayed at the dorm next to his in Uniten.

"Saiful is an active student and has leadership qualities. Saiful and I terlibat program Baktisiswa (were involved in the Baktisiswa programme)."

"He has leadership. But he likes to gain publicity."

11.27am: The Baktisiswa programme was launched by then- home minister Syed Hamid Albar. Saiful was deputy president of the programme, and secretary of Majlis Pimpinan Pelajar (Student Leaders Council).

11.30am: Najwan says that he looked at Saiful's Friendster social network page, and has seen photos of Saiful with many BN leaders, including Syed Hamid Albar, Mustapa Mohamed and Azalina Said Othman. "In 2008, Saiful put that he is a supporter of BN and declared (that) Anwar is a munafik." Najwan says he saw Saiful at a political ceramah.

11.31am: Najwan maintains Saiful campaigned for BN in 2008.

11.33am: Witness denies that Saiful idolised Anwar as per his testimony. "He (Saiful) hates Anwar."

11.34am: Najwan is being cross-examined by Yusof. He says he has worked with PKR's Seri Setia state assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad . "I have worked with the Transport Ministry, and in UiTM before."

11.37am: Yusof suggests it is not odd to post pictures with minister. Witness agrees.

11.39am: Najwan denies that what he said about Saiful is speculation.

11.40am: Najwan says that he saw a description of Anwar as a munafiq (hypocrite) in Saiful's Friendster which he (Saiful) had entered himself. "I was surprised why he worked with Anwar, as he hated Anwar."

11.45am: Yusof: How often do you discuss about politics with Saiful.

Najwan: It is something I cannot answer, as it can be over a meal. Saiful said that Anwar cannot be trusted, and that we need to support the BN government.

11.47am: Najwan, in replying to Sankara, says that he described Saiful's character based on his experience with the later.

11.48am: Court resumes on Thursday.

source:malaysiakini

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