A Government doctor told Malaysia's High Court yesterday there was no medical evidence that the adopted brother of Mr Anwar Ibrahim had been sodomised, despite his confession to such an act by the ousted minister.
But the government doctor, Dr Zahari Noor, who examined Mr Sukma Darmawan, said that if sodomy had taken place five to 10 years ago, there would be no signs to confirm it.
Mr Sukma and one of Mr Anwar's speechwriters, Mr Muna war Anees, were each sentenced to six months in jail on September 19th after confessing they were sodomised by the former deputy prime minister in April 1998 and March 1993, respectively.
They later filed appeals, saying they were tortured by police to plead guilty. Mr Sukma was released on bail last week pending his appeal against conviction.
Mr Anwar, arrested a day after Mr Sukma and Mr Munawar were jailed, faces five charges of sodomy - one allegedly committed with Mr Sukma - and five of corruption.
He denies all the charges, saying they were fabricated by friends of the Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to destroy his political career.
Dr Zahari, the 20th witness in the trial, said during cross-examination by Mr Anwar's lawyer, Mr Christopher Fernando, that he had examined Mr Sukma in police custody on September 9th.
"So in layman's terms, you're saying there seems to be no history of homosexual relations," Mr Fernando said.
"I would say there was no evidence of anus intercourse," Dr Zahari replied.
The doctor's revelation stunned the court but, under re-examination by the prosecution, Dr Zahari said he could not rule out acts of sodomy committed five or more years ago.
"If it was that long, yes, all the signs would be negative unless it's a case of habitual homosexual activity," Dr Zahari said. "In other words, if it is until the day I had examined him."
Despite this, Mr Anwar's lawyers were jubilant.
"I think it's a fantastic piece of evidence," Mr Pawancheek Mari can, one of Mr Anwar's nine counsel, said.
"The prosecution asked about traces from incidents five to 10 years ago while the charge involving Sukma was only in April this year," another defence lawyer said.
The hearing resumes today.