Anwar's trial may resume in 2000

Anwar's trial may resume in 2000

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The sex trial of Malaysia's jailed
former finance minister Anwar Ibrahim, adjourned before snap
elections last month, is not expected to resume until next year,
a court official said on Tuesday.

Judge Arifin Jaka has summoned prosecution and defence lawyers
to a meeting on Saturday to set dates for the resumption of the
politically sensitive trial, High Court deputy registrar Rozilah
Salleh said.

"The trial will most likely resume after Hari Raya," Rozilah
said, referring to the Muslim Eid al-Fitr celebration marking the
end of the fasting month of Ramadhan. Eid al-Fitr falls at the
end of the first week of January.

Arifin suspended the trial on Nov. 10, without giving any
reason for the adjournment. A High court official said the judge
had a back ache and needed rest.