With the prosecution having closed its case earlier this month, the Kuala Lumpur High Court today begins hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence in the controversial Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial.

Lead counsel Karpal Singh was first to submit for the defence team, and he argued why the opposition leader should be acquitted without his defence being called.

Meanwhile, solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden argued that the prosecution has presented a compelling case drawing together all evidence presented in court over 57 days by 27 witnesses.

After hearing the submissions from both sides, High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin will set a new date when he will deliver his decision on whether to proceed with the trial or throw it out of court.

Anwar suffered a last-minute blow to his case last month when the judge reversed his ruling and allowed the admission of three disputed items - a mineral water bottle, a towel and a toothbrush - as evidence.

Malaysiakini yesterday summarised the case so far .

LIVE REPORTS

8.46am: The prosecution team are already in court. Complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's father Azlan Md Lazim is seen seated in the public gallery.

8.53am: Anwar arrives in court with PKR president and wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Also with them are Machang MP and PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution and a number of party supporters.

9.03am: Defence lawyers Sankara Nair and Param Cumaraswamy enter the courtroom, along with Saiful's lawyer Zamri Idrus.

9.11am: The defence team is having a discussion with Anwar outside the courtroom while waiting for the hearing to commence.

9.18am: Lead defence counsel Karpal Singh arrives in wheelchair.

9.21am: Both Karpal and lead prosecutor Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, along with the defence team, meet High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin in his chambers. 

9.31am: After about 10 minutes, both parties emerge from the judge's chambers. Proceedings are about to begin.

9.34am: Court is called into session with justice Zabidin presiding.

Karpal is submitting first.

He says a lot has been said in this court and he reminds that judges are human beings.

"Rely on what is being told in the court. Not the media or what is being said by the prime minister."