Dutch orthopaedic surgeon Dr Thomas Hoogland continued his testimony today and was cross-examined by the prosecution in the Sodomy II trial.Yesterday he told the court the extent of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's injury as a result of a police assault he suffered after being sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998.
Anwar had surgery on the fourth and fifth lumbar of his lower back in 2004, which had subsequently restrict his mobility and movement.
Hoogland also testified that following inspections done last month, he believes Anwar cannot do any vigorous activity.
Yesterday also saw Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah striking out the subpoenas served on Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, to testify as witnesses.
Lead defence counsel Karpal Singh has indicated they will appeal yesterday's ruling, which they will file later today.
8.45am: Trial begins with High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding. Dr Thomas Hoogland is called to take the witness stand.
8.50am: From the micro-anatomy, the spine doctor says the nerve has blood vessels and “we have learnt a lot since in relation to blood supply”.
"Blood supply is the main problem when there is damage to the nerve," says Hoogland.
8.55am: Hoogland says, "When we consider the sexual act, it is unlikely possible."
"Based on the examination on Anwar and the MRI results, it is not possible (for the sodomy act) for his age," says Hoogland.
Defence team ends its questioning of Hoogland.
8.57am: The witness is handed over to the prosecution for cross-examination. Solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden begins questioning.
9.07am: There was a light moment when Yusof goes through the details of the human anatomy.
"You passed the test," says Hoogland.
9.14am: Hoogland tells the court that when people are in the 40s and 50s, they may suffer from disc herniation.
He also says that at the age of 40, some people may develop arthiritis.
9.32am: Yusof asks Hoogland about lumbar stenosis.
9.35am: Hoogland says to check for stenosis, he would take a look at the hips, then have the patient stand up and do bend movements.
"Then you have him stand on his toes and do reflexes. We also do tests on the sensation to see if the nerve is blocked or not."
9.45am: Hoogland says based on the condition of the back, he would recommend several modes of treatment to lumbar stenosis.
This includes physiotheraphy, anti-inflammatory drug, steroid injection which can only be done three times a year, acupuncture or chiropractor and surgery.
9.48am: The spine doctor says Anwar's injury was not caused by age but as a result of the police assault.
He had stenosis and nerve damage.
9.50am: Hoogland says Anwar was tested for flexion (bending forward) and extension (bending to the back, and to the back, then left and right).
"Anwar sensed more pain to the left," he said.
9.56am: Hoogland shows the computer MRI scan on Anwar to demonstrate the extent of Anwar's injury.
10.11am: Hoogland, in reply to Yusof, says there was improvement following the surgery, but "we cannot make it heal it completely".
10.12am: He denies that the surgery alleviates the problem completely, and there is still significant pain.
Yusof asks for break. Judge orders the court to stand down for a few minutes.
10.40am: Court resumes
Hoogland says that Anwar was at the hospital in Munich, Germany, for three weeks between Sept 6 to Sept 27, 2004, following the surgery.
He says that Anwar recuperate further at a hotel.
10.50am: Following the examination after the surgery, Hoogland says Anwar has managed to gain some strength to his back.
"However, he still has pain on his left side of the back."
11.02am: Hoogland says the surgery would slow down the process of the injury to the joint.
"It softens the pain but it does not heal arthritis."
11.04am: The spine doctor says he did not meet Anwar between 2005 and September 2011.
11.04am: The spine doctor says he did not meet Anwar between 2005 and September 2011.
11.10am: In his Sept examination, Hoogland says there was no scoliosis, but there Anwar experiences back pain when he bend to back by five to 10 degrees and there significant back pain in flexion (bending forward) by 15 degrees. He adds Anwar has not undergone treatment since 2004.
"Anwar's walking is okay. But (in) bending he has a problem.".
"If he bends slowly it would be alright, but there will be pain."11.25am: Hoogland explains he expects Anwar to suffer degeneration of the back between 2004 to 2008, much more in comparison to the period between 2008 to 2011.
He explains that this is because 2004 to 2008 is a four years period while the latter is only three years.
Yusof asks for a stand down to show a CCTV recording of Anwar. A short recess is called.
Police forensics begins installing computer equipment to play the CCTV recording.
11.47am: As the session resumes Hoogland is shown a CCTV recording of Anwar entering the lift of the Desa Damansara condominium.
Anwar in the footage is seen picking something up with ease.
The doctor disagrees with the conclusion saying the CCTV recording’s playback speed is faster than normal.
11.49am: Hoogland says he cannot see if Anwar is in pain or not due to the CCTV recording.
"He is likely Mr Anwar and he is able to bend. I never said he cannot bend.
"He has pain in bending and he has to do his motion slowly. Here you do not see it."
Yusof asks to clear the court in camera.
11.53am: The court is now in camera where the public gallery is empty.
When the hearing resumes former IGP Musa Hassan and former Malacca police chief Mohd Rodwan Mohd Yusof will take the stand.
12.38pm: Sankara tells reporters that the next witnesses will be Musa and Rodwan.
The prosecution will also make an application to call two or three witnesses to rebut the defence witnesses.
source:malaysiakinicheers.
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