The DNA profiles found on a toothbrush, a towel and a bottle matched that of an unknown “Male Y”, whose sperm extracts had been found in Mohd Saiful Bukhari’s anus earlier, a chemist testified today.
Nor Aidora Saedon, a chemist attached to the forensic DNA section with the department of chemistry in Petaling Jaya, confirmed today that DNA samples from swabs taken from the three objects matched the DNA profile of “Male Y.”
She told the ongoing sodomy trial of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that her results were based on a probability match done between Dr Seah Lay Hong’s report and her own. Dr Seah, a forensic scientist, had testified earlier that the sperm extracts belonged to “Male Y” who has yet to be identified.
“Match was with source marked ‘Male Y’ in Dr Seah’s report,” said Aidora.
It is understood that the three objects — a white toothbrush, a Good Morning towel, and a Cactus mineral water bottle — were supplied to Aidora by DSP Judy Pereira for DNA analysis on July 17, 2008.
“DNA profiles of towel, bottle and toothbrush matched each other, indicating same source,” said Aidora.
Two strands of hair — one of which came from the towel — were also tested for DNA but attempts to render a DNA profile proved unsuccessful.
Aidora said that she began running tests on July 18, and had given the report and samples to Pereira on July 22.
Anwar’s lawyers had objected during Aidora’s examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Noorin Badaruddin, demanding that the defence be supplied with the chemist’s documents on said probability match.
Defence counsel Sankara Nair told reporters later that the documents contained a “statistical population database” which could narrow down the race and possible identity of a person, based on the DNA profile obtained.
Trial judge Datuk Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah later granted the defence access to the documents.
According to the chemist, the statistical DNA calculations were based on the Malaysian database of the three major races, and the probability of the “Male Y” DNA profile having a coincidental match was 1: 470 quintillion (Malay), 1: 52 quintillion (Chinese) and 1: 210 quintillion (Indian).
The trial is adjourned until tomorrow morning at 8.30am with the prosecution calling a new witness.
It is understood that Anwar’s lawyers want time to study Aidora’s documents and will only cross-examine her on Friday morning.
Saiful had complained that Anwar, his ex-boss, had sodomised him at a luxury condominium in upper-class Bukit Damansara here on June 26, 2008.
Saiful, now aged 25, has never named anyone else.
Anwar, the 63-year-old PKR de facto leader, is currently facing sodomy charges for the second time in his life.
He has denied the charges, describing them as “evil, frivolous lies by those in power” when they were 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 led the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, to a historic sweep of five states and 82 parliamentary seats in Election 2008.
