New judge urged for Anwar trial

Wed, 28 Jul 1999 | Source: AP

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Ousted politician Anwar Ibrahim's attorney demanded on Tuesday that his client's sodomy trial be conducted by a new judge after a clash over the use of a contested confession as evidence.

"I am exasperated by your comments and prejudgment. You might just as well give up," attorney Karpal Singh shouted at High Court Judge Ariffin Jaka.

Ariffin shot back in an equally loud voice: "From the word go, you have been trying to disqualify me."

Tempers exploded over the confession of the former deputy prime minister's alleged sex partner, Sukma Dermawan. Karpal demanded the judge review Monday's ruling to allow prosecutors to use it as evidence. Attorney General Mohtar Abdullah objected.

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