The three-member Federal Court panel today unanimously dismissed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's final appeal against his conviction and six-year sentencing for tampering with police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
In an immediate response, wheelchair-bound Anwar told the court that the decision was a "horrendous betrayal of the public confidence in the judiciary".
Proceedings started at 10am with only Chief Justice Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah appearing in the courtroom. He then proceeded to pronounce the judgment without reading the full 65-page written decision.
"Suffice for me to state here that from the grounds [of judgment] from the court below, errors of law have not occasioned," said Dzaiddin.
He added that a miscarriage of justice had not taken place and dismissed Anwar's appeal.
Anwar subsequently addressed the court, condemning the judiciary for its "charade" and for trying to portray itself as having transparency.
"This is all based on instructions from above," he said.
In response, Dzaiddin said that he will take note of what Anwar had said.
The entire process took less than 20 minutes at the end of which the public in the gallery refused to stand up as a mark of respect for Dzaiddin when he was about to leave the room.
Supporters to protest
As word of the decision spread, the 400-odd Anwar supporters outside the courtroom began to express their dissatisfaction by shouting "reformasi".
Keadilan Youth exco member Badrul Hisham said he would be leading a peaceful march to the Campbell police station, half an hour's walk from the court building, as a mark of protest against the decision.
He described the court's decision as "pre-planned" and said "there is now no hope left in the judiciary".
Apart from the cries of reformasi, the scene outside the court seems orderly. Only 20 police officers were present.
Meanwhile, former Lord President Salleh Abas who was present in the courtroom expressed his disappointment with the decision.
"I'm disappointed but not surprised," he told malaysiakini.
