Saiful denies mosque oath politically linked

Star witness Saiful Bukhari Azlan has denied suggestions that his widely publicised oath at a mosque in 2008, to swear that he was sodomised by Anwar Ibrahim, was premeditated to stifle the latter's by-election campaign. Under cross-examination by lead defence counsel Karpal Singh (right), the witness agreed that the oath ceremony took place several days before nominations were filed.

"I remember when it was held, it was very near the by-election. However, I cannot remember the exact date," he said.
"However, it is not premeditated. I wanted to do so sometime in early July but circumstances did not permit me to do so. There is also some concerns voiced by religious scholars."
Saiful swore on the Quran on Aug 15, one day ahead of the nomination day, to stress he was sodomised by his then employer Anwar, and that the act was not consensual.
After Karpal completed cross-examination, Saiful was re-examined by lead prosecutor Solicitor-General II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden.Saiful had denied telling doctors that a plastic object was inserted in his anus.

Showed the handwritten medical report by Pusrawi doctor Dr Othman Abdul Hamid, the witness said he had initially told the doctor that he had stomach pains."However, when he wanted to conduct the examination, I told him that I had been sodomised. I did not tell him who sodomised me," he said.

Saiful's first time

When shown the medical report, Saiful said he could not read the doctor's handwriting.However, the witness said he did not at anytime relate that a plastic object was inserted into his anus."I did not relate any such matter to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital doctors or the police," he told Yusof (left).
Asked about press reports quoting Saiful stating that the alleged sodomy with Anwar on June 26, 2008 was his first, the witness clarified that he was trying to explain to the press that the incident was his first experience of sodomy.
Earlier, Karpal asked Saiful whether he had previously committee any vices such as consuming alcohol or committing zina (promiscuity), which the witness denied. "I try to be a good Muslim," replied Saiful.

Asked about his family background, Saiful said his parents had divorced when he was in Standard 1 and that his younger sister Saidati had eloped. "Someone had took her away. I am not sure whether she is married," said Saiful