KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's lead counsel Sulaiman Abdullah has pulled out of the defence team in the sodomy trial citing health reasons.

Anwar told reporters at the High Court public gallery on Wednesday that Mr Sulaiman had discharged himself for all cases, for the time being.

He said Mr Sulaiman had called him at 6pm on Tuesday to inform him of his decision and told him that he did not wish to delay the sodomy case.

On July 8, the much awaited high profile sodomy trial of the PKR adviser was again delayed because Mr Sulaiman had to extend his medical leave as he was in KL Hospital for observation.

The High Court set Wednesday to hear the Opposition leader's application to obtain certain documents to prepare for his defence, and the same day to hear his application to strike out the charge.

The judge will hear Anwar's application to get the documents at 2 pm on Thursday. -- THE STAR/ANN