| The supplier and manufacturer, Applied Biosystem Sdn Bhd, had ceased operations in Malaysia since 2005.
The defence in the Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial managed to raise doubts as to whether the genetic analyser machine and two other machines used by the Chemistry Department are properly maintained.
This is since the supplier, United States-based Applied Biosystem Sdn Bhd, which manufactured the machines, had since ceased operations in Malaysia since 2005.
Since then, the Chemistry Department has relied on a private company, ATP Science and Technology Sdn Bhd, to service the Genetic Analyser 3XL300, Sequence Detector 7000 and Thermo Cycler 9700.
ATP service and project manager Alan Tiang testified during examination-in-chief by DPP Noorin Badaruddin that he helped maintain the three items of equipment since 2005.
“The last time the company serviced them was in May 2008. They were in good working order. The company maintains the hardware,” he told the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
On cross-examination by Sankara Nair, Tiang, who has a diploma in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, said he had worked with Applied Biosystem since 1996.
“However, since Applied Biosystem had ceased operations in 2005, ATP had undertaken the task.
“However, since 2008 we have not received any purchase order from the Chemistry Department,” he said.
Sankara: When you check the machines you are not with Applied Biosystem.
Tiang: No, Applied Biosystem ceased operations in 2005. I am with ATP
Sankara: So in what way you are competent, were you licensed, in what way were you authorised to inspect the machine?
Tiang: By experience and knowledge.
Sankara: But you are not with Applied Biosystem and you still inspect the machine?
Tiang: Yes.
Sankara: Can I say your training with Applied Biosystem had ceased?
Tiang: Yes.
The witness said he did the job on an ad hoc basis.
When asked whether the company could show its report for maintenance, Tiang said it is kept by the department and the company does not have a copy.
Applied Biosystem, a life science equipment provider, has a branch in Singapore.
Police told witness to look for individuals
Another witness, ASP Fauziah Che Mat, who is an audio/video specialist, testified that she had been instructed by investigating officer Jude Blacious Pereira to look for certain people and cars - an MG Rover and a Fiat Ulysse car.
“I was handed a hard disc and was asked to clone it. I tested the clone copy and it is working well.
“I was asked to look for certain people and cars on June 26, 2008 and also earlier in April and May,” she said.
The witness said she received the hard disc from Jude at 10am on July 3, 2008.
After doing the necessary in identifying the person as required and making a copy, Fauziah returned the hard disc to Jude on Sept 24, 2008. |
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