[UPDATED] Najib’s SRC hearing: Hisyam Teh pleads for another extension

PUTRAJAYA – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s defence team has again pleaded with the Federal Court for an extension – this time asking for a delay of at least three to four months.

Lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said this is to allow the team to adequately prepare and argue their case.

He added that he would be at a disadvantage if the case was to proceed as scheduled as he has to go over case facts involving thousands of documents and witness testimonies.

Hisyam pleaded that it is not his usual practice to ask for any adjournment or postponement unless it is absolutely necessary.

“We need sufficient time to prepare as I was told there were some 179 volumes (of documents) in this case. I come before my lords to ask for at least another three to four months.”

In reply, ad hoc deputy public prosecutor Datuk V Sithambaram said he will leave the matter to the court to decide.

“The court in this appeal is fully conversant with the facts and circumstances of this case.

“My learned friend has in the previous two case management been duly informed that this case will proceed on the aforementioned dates,” he said, referring to trial dates scheduled from August 15 to 26.

The five-member panel led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat then asked for another adjournment to deliberate on Hisyam’s application.

Other members of the bench are Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and the Federal Court’s Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan, Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan, and Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah.

On July 29, it was reported that the Federal Court rejected the defence’s appeal to postpone a week following Hisyam’s appointment as lead counsel.

Previously, Najib was represented by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

Shafee’s firm was replaced by Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew and Partners, effective July 25.

Hisyam is assisted by Liew Teik Huat and Rueben Mathiaravanam (of Messrs Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew & Partners) to be co-counsels.

The change of the lawyers came after the high court here rejected United Kingdom lawyer and Queen’s Counsel Jonathan Laidlaw’s bid to be admitted before the courts for the final appeal, scheduled to be heard in the Federal Court for 10 days from August 15.

The Court of Appeal last year upheld the conviction and 12-year prison sentence as well as an RM210 million fine imposed against Najib for misappropriating RM42 million in funds from SRC, a former 1Malaysia Development Bhd subsidiary. – The Vibes, August 16, 2022