E Contrario

I had to attend a court case this morning. About 28 people were charged together in so-called Arsenic 2 case. The case was linked to a protest in 19 October 1999.

In September 1999, Anwar’s hair and urine samples were tested positive with arsenic. This news stunned the whole nation. On 18 September a mass demonstration was held in Masjid Negara. In fact this was the second protest on Anwar’s arsenic poisoning. The first one was held a week earlier. A large number people who were arrested and charged connected to these two demonstrations.

Activists involved in these assemblies were hunted like fugitives. The police placed a full-page wanted list with pictures of individuals in all major newspapers. We were asked to surrender to police station.

The charge against those arrested over the first demonstration on 10 September was known as Arsenic 1. I was arrested over the second demonstration on 18 September viz. Arsenic 2.

Arsenic 1 has been dischraged and all accused were freed last year. This case, Arsenic 1 had hardy began.

Two years ago, OCPD Bakri Zinin had been called as the first witness. The judge arranged a site visit to Masjid Negara in order to understand the actual surrounding of the demonstration. I can’t recalled the date of our last hearing anymore. Even the judge has changed.

The court is now presided by a new judge, Azniza bt Mohd Ali, will have to start the trial all over. Our lawyers have requested the Public Prosecutors to drop the case but without avail. The AG seems determine to continue the prosecution. Today two of the 17 charged were absent: Dr Sanusi Osman who is overseas and Urmia who is hospitalized for a surgery.

The court has granted them leave and the case will continue tomorrow 10:30hr.

Pictures outside the courtroom before the hearing:-

Discussing top secrets with Dr Hatta

Azmin, Ghani Harun, Dr Hatta and I having a chat

Puspa, Ezam and our friend who left us

Lateefah informs us that the judge wants the case to go on for the rest of the week