PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik has orally applied to the Federal Court to discharge himself from leading the defence team in the SRC International Sdn Bhd appeal if the defence is not given any time extension.
At the start of proceedings here on Thursday (Aug 18), Hisyam began with an apology.
ALSO READ: Najib and lawyers shocked by double rejection
“I’d like to start by tendering an apology. An apology that is both sincere and from the bottom of my heart.
“I am unable to see the appeal this morning. There was an error of judgment when I accepted the brief on July 25,” he said.
Hisyam, again, asked the court to consider reviewing its own decision when the panel of five judges, chaired by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, rejected the defence’s application to stay the proceedings on Tuesday (Aug 16).
ALSO READ: We will not abandon our client Najib, says Zaid
He pleaded with the panel for the defence to be given sufficient time to prepare but in the event that the request was denied, Hisyam said he would have to discharge himself as counsel.
“This saddens me as I’ve never done this before in my 45 years of practice,” he added.
The CJ said the panel had heard the same request on Tuesday where it had already delivered its broad grounds of judgment.
ALSO READ: Hisham prays his cousin Najib stays strong
She asked Hisyam if he was aware that the superior court has inherent jurisdiction to ensure that the courts function properly, which includes the authority to ensure the machinery works in an effective manner.
“And you are a key actor to ensure this works. The court has authority to protect its processes,” she said.
Hisyam replied in the affirmative.
CJ: And you are still leaving your client unrepresented. You recognise that?
Hisyam: Yes. I’d be honest, I am not prepared. I was preparing for the motions (Najib’s two applications on Monday (Aug 15) and Tuesday).
The CJ said Hisyam still needs the court’s permission to discharge himself.
ALSO READ: Najib’s final SRC appeal: Apex court rejects application to adduce fresh evidence
She said Hisyam would be required to file in an application and a supporting affidavit to discharge.
“Until and unless that order is granted, you remain on record. Counsels should not walk away leaving their client unrepresented.
“You are not to discharge yourself but to carry on. We are confident you can manage this,” she said.
Hisyam said he would leave it to the court to decide.
ALSO READ: Najib’s final SRC appeal: Bid to postpone hearing fails
The court has stood down while the judges retreat into chambers.
The five-judge panel, led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tengku Mat, were at the bench at about 10am on Thursday (Aug 18) for proceedings to begin.
The other four judges on the panel are Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Justice Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judges, Justices Nallini Pathmanathan, Mary Lim Thiam Suan, and Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah.
ALSO READ: I will not flinch an inch, says Najib ahead of final SRC appeal
Najib was earlier seen arriving at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya at about 9.30am, accompanied by his children Mohd Nizar, Ashman and Nooryana Najwa.
Najib’s three children are currently in the public gallery in court, sitting behind Najib, who is in the dock.
MORE TO COME
Najib’s final SRC appeal: Lead defence counsel applies to discharge himself & Latest News Update
Najib’s final SRC appeal: Lead defence counsel applies to discharge himself & More Live News
All this news that I have made and shared for you people, you will like it very much and in it we keep bringing topics for you people like every time so that you keep getting news information like trending topics and you It is our goal to be able to get
all kinds of news without going through us so that we can reach you the latest and best news for free so that you can move ahead further by getting the information of that news together with you. Later on, we will continue
to give information about more today world news update types of latest news through posts on our website so that you always keep moving forward in that news and whatever kind of information will be there, it will definitely be conveyed to you people.
Najib’s final SRC appeal: Lead defence counsel applies to discharge himself & More News Today
All this news that I have brought up to you or will be the most different and best news that you people are not going to get anywhere, along with the information Trending News, Breaking News, Health News, Science News, Sports News, Entertainment News, Technology News, Business News, World News of this made available to all of you so that you are always connected with the news, stay ahead in the matter and keep getting today news all types of news for free till today so that you can get the news by getting it. Always take two steps forward
Credit Goes To News Website – This Original Content Owner News Website . This Is Not My Content So If You Want To Read Original Content You Can Follow Below Links