In his testimony earlier, Hoogland said Anwar will face problems if he needed to pick something up that has fallen in front of him by directly bending down.

"If he bends slowly it would be all right, but there will be pain. The right motion is to bend your legs to pick it up," he said. Dutch orthopaedic surgeon Dr Thomas Hoogland took the witness stand for the second consecutive day and was cross-examined by the prosecution in the Sodomy II trial.

Yesterday he told the court the extent of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's injury as a result of a police assault he suffered after being sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998.

Anwar had surgery on the fourth and fifth lumbar of his lower back in 2004, which had subsequently restricted his mobility and movement.

Hoogland also testified that following inspections done last month, he believes Anwar cannot undertake  any vigorous activity .

Yesterday also saw Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah striking out the subpoenas served on Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, to testify as witnesses.

Lead defence counsel Karpal Singh has indicated they will appeal yesterday's ruling, which they will file later today.

LIVE REPORTS    

8.45am: Trial begins with High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding. Dr Thomas Hoogland is called to take the witness stand.