Anwar Ibrahim’s lawyer Karpal Singh informed the court today the defence has subpoenaed seven witnesses, including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor, former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan and ex-Malacca police chief Mohd Rodwan Mohd Yusof.
He said this after Anwar concluded testifying from the dock this morning, reading out a 32-page statement.
All four individuals had been called to be interviewed by the defence over the past two weeks.
However, all of them stated their refusal to answer any questions when interviewed by the defence.
The others for whom the defence applied for subpeonas are Pusrawi Hospital doctor Dr Mohamad Osman Abdul Hamid, nurse Yazihan Jusoh and a maid from Indonesia known only as ‘Suliati’.
According to Karpal ( right ), they have applied for the subpoenaes and the witnesses are expected to come to court.
Asked whether they can decline, Karpal said they cannot, or warrants of arrest can be issued against them.
"It can only be set-aside. So far, they have not made any application to do so," he said.
In 1998, Anwar made attempts to call then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The former premier had his own lawyers set aside the attempt.
Another lawyer for Anwar, Sankara Nair ( left ), told Malaysiakini that they applied last Friday for the subpoenaes to be issued.
"The prosecution has accommodated and the subpoenaes have been issued," he said.
This means that all seven were supposed to be at the court's disposal today, said Sankara.
"The prosecution verified that all seven subpoenaes had been served and they were supposed to come."
"Najib, Rosmah, Musa and Rodwan were not in court despite the subpoenas being issued," added the lawyer.
Commenting on this, Anwar said, "We have issued subpoenas for Najib and Rosmah, and there is no reason why they should not come.
"It is important they set a good example, as public figures, by cooperating with the law," he said.
Tomorrow, Anwar's expert witnesses, specialist forensic pathologist Dr David Wells and DNA expert Dr Brian Mc Donald, are scheduled to take the stand, along with Mohamad Osman.