Saiful's rectum had nothing but semen after not defecating for about 54 hrs!!

UPDATED 6.40PM Semen samples were found in Saiful's rectum that was empty despite him not defecating for about 54 hours.

Semen can remain in rectum for 72 hours, court told

UPDATED @ 06:19:15 PM 22-11-2010

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

November 22, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — A Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) surgeon who examined Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan claimed today that seminal fluids can remain in a person’s rectum up to 72 hours after being sodomised.

“When a person ejaculates into the anus, how long would the fluids remain in anus area before it trickles down?” asked lead prosecutor Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden.

“About 72 hours,” was the answer given by the bespectacled doctor.

Saiful had alleged that he was sodomised by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 26, 2008. He went to HKL for a check on June 28, less than 72 hours after he alleged that he had been sodomised.

Dr Razali Ibrahim told the court he inspected Saiful’s anus 54 hours after the alleged act took place.

However, the doctor maintained that upon examination he found that Saiful’s rectum was empty despite the fact that Saiful had complained that he had not defecated since he was sodomised.

Dr Razali said that the likelihood of seminal fluids remaining in the rectum depended on a person’s anal functions, or when a “mass movement” occurs.

“In some cases, you can still get samples within the 72 hours as the anal canal is not straight,” said the doctor.

The general surgeon also said it was still possible for a person to pass motion and still retrieve seminal fluids from the rectum, as some samples may remain “stuck” there.

This was refuted by Anwar’s defence team, when Sankara Nair asked Dr Razali whether he had the right authority to make such a statement.

The doctor then agreed with Sankara, saying that it was based on his “readings” but he could not recall which documents he had referred which led him to make the conclusion.

“When I did the examination, I did not know what to expect or whether I would find any samples,” said Dr Razali.

He also maintained that Saiful’s rectum was faeces-free, refuting suggestions by the defence that Saiful’s rectum could not be empty if he had not defecated for two days.

“It is not necessary there be faeces in the rectum area... I agree, at that time when I examined Saiful, there was no faeces,” said the doctor.

The trial then continued with the cross-examination of HKL forensic pathologist Dr Siew Sheue Feng, who was fiercely grilled by the defence team within minutes after taking the witness stand.

Dr Siew told the court that there were no signs of injury to Saiful’s anus upon examination, saying that he took down a “detailed” history of Saiful.

Confusion occurred when Dr Siew was asked to explain the medical history of Saiful, whereby Dr Siew kept on repeating the fact that a medical examination was conducted on Saiful after he “complained” of being sodomised by a high-profile public figure.

Sankara and Karpal Singh both took turns to question the timid-looking doctor, who was unable to provide clear answers to the questions directed at him.

Dr Siew’s inability to answer the defence’s questions also prompted Karpal to accuse the doctor of being “programmed” to answer the questions with prepared answers.

The trial will resume tomorrow morning, where the cross-examination of Dr Siew will continue.

Anwar, the 62-year-old PKR de facto leader, is currently facing sodomy charges for the second time in his life.

The former deputy prime minister is charged with sodomising Saiful at Unit 11-5-1 of the Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara here between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

Anwar has denied the charge, describing it as “evil, frivolous lies by those in power” when the charge was read out to him. He is charged under section 377B of the Penal Code and can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction. The trial is taking place 18 months after Anwar was charged in court in August 2008.

He was charged with sodomy and corruption in 1998 after he was sacked from the Cabinet and was later convicted and jailed for both offences. He was freed in September 2004 and later resurrected his political career by winning back his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in a by-election in 2008, which had been held in the interim by his wife.

He had two years ago led the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, to a historic sweep of five states and 82 parliamentary seats in Election 2008.