KUALA LUMPUR- The father of Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan is hoping that the lawyers representing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not further delay proceedings in the sodomy case. Azlan Mohd Lazim was yesterday believed to have submitted a letter to an Istana Negara official in a bid to expedite proceedings in court.

Azlan hoped that the case between his son Saiful, and Anwar would be resolved quickly.

"I hope that the lawyers would cease further delaying the case. My family has been under a lot of pressure over the last three years.

"Even the safety of my family had been threatened because of the case," said Azlan told reporters outside the gates of Istana Negara.

He said the letter had nothing to do with the recent debate over WikiLeaks, which involved Anwar and matters related to the court proceedings.

"The letter merely contains my plea, and also my feelings as a father."

Azlan said the burden of the proceedings had become unbearable because of the constant delays in the trial.

"I wish that the processes of justice be served sooner, and for all of this (court case) to end soon."

Anwar, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader and Permatang Pauh MP, was accused of sodomising Saiful on June 26, 2008.

He was charged under section 377B of the Penal Code which carries a maximum 20 years' jail and whipping, if convicted.