PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's SRC International Sdn Bhd appeal today turned to a dramatic turn as lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik sought to recuse himself from representing the former prime minister.
He said that he needed more time as he was not prepared for the case.
Hisyam who was appointed by Najib as his new lead counsel on July 26, replacing Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, informed the matter before Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who chaired a five-member panel on the first day of Najib's appeal.
To this, Justice Tengku Maimun countered that as a counsel, Hisyam should not walk away and should carry his duty to repersent his client.
The others judges on the panel are Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judges Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan, Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan and Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd.
Justice Tengku Maimun told Hisyam that the bench had heard his request for a postponement on Tuesday and had given their grounds on why they rejected his application.
"We reiterate that we have given the broad grounds. Are you aware that as a superior court we have the inherent jurisdiction to administer justice, and that our jurisdiction is to ensure that the court functions?"
"Do you accept that? Your client will be unrepresented. If you discharge (yourself), you will leave him unrepresented. Do you accept that?" asked the top judge sternly.
Hisyam answered that he accepted everything Justice Tengku Maimun was saying.
".., but under the circumstances I cannot continue to represent Datuk Seri Najib," he said.
Justice Tengku Maimun replied: "But you still need our permission to discharge yourself. You should have filed an affidavit first. Counsels should not just walk away without telling the court.
"In our mind, you can handle the case and you have many counsels available," she said before calling for a short stand down to decide on the matter.
The court had on Tuesday dismissed Najib's application to postpone the appeal hearing and directed the proceedings to proceed today.
The court also denied the Pekan MP's bid to adduce new evidence in his SRC case to nullify the trial.
The hearing of the appeal has been fixed from Aug 15 to 19 and Aug 23 to 26.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Aug 18 2022
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's SRC International Sdn Bhd appeal today turned to a dramatic turn as lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik sought to recuse himself from representing the former prime minister. - BERNAMA
UAE lancar kempen derma lebihan makanan sepanjang Ramadan
Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE) menerusi UAE Food Bank melancarkan kempen menderma lebihan makanan sepanjang ramadan kepada mereka yang memerlukan.
Pelapor Khas PBB terima ugutan
Pelapor Khas Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB), Francesca Alabanese mendedahkan menerima ugutan ketika cuba mengumpulkan bukti genosid dilakukan Israel di genting Gaza.
Pentadbiran Biden arah semua agensi persekutuan AS lantik ketua pegawai AI
Pentadbiran Presiden Joe Biden telah mengarahkan semua agensi persekutuan negara itu melantik seorang ketua pegawai Kecerdasan Buatan (AI) untuk menyelia semua teknologi berkaitan.
Gempur: Masalah lambakan kereta usang membelenggu penduduk
Lambakan kereta tersadai di kawasan flat Sri Pantai menyebabkan penduduk berdepan masalah kekurangan parkir. Ada yang sudah berbulan malah ada yang bertahun tersadai sehingga menyebabkan kesesakan di kawasan parkir. Walaupun beberapa kali pihak berkuasa menunda kenderaan, tetapi masalah ini terus berulang.
Ramai serbu Jalan TAR tapi belum cukup meriah
Saban tahun, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) meriah tatkala menghampiri Hari Raya Aidilfitri namun tahun ini, selepas lebih dua minggu Ramadan, suasananya masih belum cukup meriah berbanding tahun-tahun sebelumnya.
Kerajaan digesa buat semakan undang-undang atasi 'lanun digital'
Kerajaan digesa untuk membuat semakan undang-undang bagi mengukuhkan kuasa penguatkuasaan dalam membantu mereka bertindak dengan lebih pantas demi kedaulatan digital Malaysia.
Tambahan 300 kaunter fizikal seluruh negara
DOSM menambah 300 kaunter PADU secara fizikal di seluruh negara.
[INFOGRAFIK] Sistem e-Dereg
Berikut adalah sedikit infografik berkenaan Sistem e-Dereg. Sila klik video untuk berita selanjutnya.
Dialog Tiga Penjuru: Dah Daftar PADU?
Apa cara nak yakinkan dan beri jaminan kepada orang ramai berkaitan pendaftaran PADU adalah selamat daripada ancaman serangan siber?
Pindaan Akta Perlindungan Data Peribadi memperkukuh kawalan keselamatan data peribadi, mencukupi?
Dialog Tiga Penjuru, Khamis 8.30 malam
Pindaan Akta Perlindungan Data Peribadi memperkukuh kawalan keselamatan data peribadi, mencukupi?
Dialog Tiga Penjuru, Khamis 8.30 malam
Kerja ganti paip lama di Seluruh Sarawak bermula tahun ini
Sarawak akan memulakan kerja-kerja penggantian saluran paip lama sepanjang 2,740 kilometer di seluruh negeri itu bermula tahun ini.
Federal court fixed Dec 8 to hear Najib's application to intervene in Azilah's review
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Azmi Mashud appeared for the prosecution while lawyer J. Kuldeep Kumar appeared for Azilah.
[EKSKLUSIF] Apandi Ali umum letak jawatan, tak rela jadi 'kuda tunggangan' dalam UMNO
Mohamed Apandi letak jawatan sebagai Pengerusi Lembaga Displin kerana kecewa prosiding dengan Hishammuddin Hussein dibatalkan pucuk pimpinan.