KUALA LUMPUR: Day 4 of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial is expected to kick off Monday morning with the cross-examination of his accuser and the only witness to have taken the stand so far, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Last week, Mohd Saiful testified that the PKR adviser had tried to come on to him.

He also claimed, when asked by lead prosecutor Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, that he had idolised Anwar as a child and was interested in working for him because he was a charismatic leader.

Mohd Saiful said his friend Rahimi Osman had called him in early March to come to his office - Anwar's office - in Section 16, Petaling Jaya, for a chit-chat.

''At that time, he asked me if I was employed or had any work. When I told him that I was not doing anything, he asked me if I wanted to be Anwar's assistant as he claimed they were facing a shortage of staff,'' he said.

On his move to resign from his job, Mohd Saiful said he had sent an e-mail to Anwar on June 27.

''After a few hours, Anwar called and scolded me. He asked me to meet him at his office in Section 16. I was scared but I went to see him as asked,'' he said.

Mohd Saiful said he told Anwar his reasons - he was not disciplined and had always come to work late, and he was less qualified than other staff.

However, he said the real reason he resigned was that, ''I was not willing to be treated in such a manner any more.''

''He asked me to be more disciplined and made a counter-offer that he wished to sponsor my studies and that I could still enjoy my full salary and allowances,'' he said.

He said he was afraid to reject the offer in front of him and agreed to it.

He said Anwar sent him an e-mail several hours later stating: ''Thank you for being willing to continue your service.''

Mohd Saiful also claimed that he did not pass motion for two days after he was allegedly sodomised.

The prosecution had earlier said that it intends to prove that semen samples taken from the witness' anus belonged to Anwar.

Anwar, 63, has claimed trial to sodomising his former personal aide at the Desa Damansara Condominium in Bukit Damansara on June 26, 2008.

He is charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code and could be sentenced up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

The Star Online will be providing ''live updates'' of today's proceedings here and on Twitter. Stay tuned.

8.44am: Media and members of the public allowed to enter the court in stages. Each person is screened with metal detectors and their bags thoroughly checked.

8.21am: Three small police trucks and one van filled with personnel are parked near the court complex, believed to be in preparation for any protests that might take place today. A protest march did not take place last Friday as planned.

6.30am: Reporters and members of the public gather to attend the trial, finally issued their passes at about 7.30am, after which they queue up to get into Criminal Court 3 of the KL High Court complex.

This article was first published in The Star/Asia News network.