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.