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Foreign expert: Faulty DNA samples unacceptable

After Australian forensic pathologist Dr David Wells testified yesterday, another foreign expert, DNA specialist Dr Brian McDonald, takes the witness stand in the Sodomy II trial involving Oppostion Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

McDonald, who is also from Australia, will first answer questions from defence lawyer Ram Karpal and this is likely to take most of the morning.

It will be followed with cross-examination by solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, who is lead prosecutor.

Wells was quizzed by Yusof for most parts of yesterday. In his testimony, Wells said that a 30-year-old study stating that sperm retrieved from the rectum can last up to 65 hours should be treated with caution.

At one point, the witness was briefly stumped when asked how a third person could retrieve another person's sperm and planted in the alleged victim's rectum. He said he would leave it to a DNA expert to answer that question.

Later, in replying to questions from defence lawyer Sankara Nair, Wells agreed there could be tear in Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s rectum should the purported act - as described by the complainant - was "laju and rakus" (fast and furious).

Pusrawi Hospital’s Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid and Hospital Kuala Lumpur doctors have earlier testified that they saw no signs of injury.

LIVE REPORTS

anti-anwar ibrahim demonstration outside KL High Court sodomy II trial 8.35am: A group of anti-Anwar supporters wearing yellow T-shirts are outside the Jalan Duta Court Complex where the Sodomy II trial is held at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Repeatedly shouting ‘reformasi’, they unveil a banner which says ‘Selamat Hari Raya Peliwat 2.0' and ‘Justice for Saiful’.

8.48am: Prosecution team led by solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden is in court, as is defence lawyers Ram Karpal and Marissa Regina Christopher Fernando.

Marissa is the daughter of the late Christopher Fernando, who was top defence lawyer in Anwar's first sodomy trial.

8.55am: Also in court is Saiful's lawyer Zamri Idrus. He was absent yesterday.

9.04am: Anwar arrives with wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution.

There are still some empty seats in the public gallery, which can fit about 70 people.

9.13am: Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng arrives and is seen talking to Anwar, who is standing inside the dock.

9.15am: Court proceeding begins with Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding.

9.16am: Fourth defence witness Dr Brian McDonald takes the witness stand and the examination-in-chief done by defence counsel Ram Karpal...

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