PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today agreed with Attorney-General Tommy Thomas that Syazlin Mansor should not be allowed to legally represent several parties with varying interests in Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s inquest.

How can lawyer Syazlin represent the Housing and Local Government Ministry and Adib’s family at the same time, said Dr Mahathir.

The prime minister said her appointment by the ministry was a mistake.

“She was Adib’s family lawyer and also a lawyer for the ministry.

“The person (Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin) who chose Syazlin did not realise that she was also the lawyer for Adib’s family,” he said after chairing a Bersatu Supreme Council meeting in Petaling Jaya today.

Thomas had said earlier that Syazlin was withdrawn as the ministry’s legal counsel in Adib’s inquest as she was representing three parties, which was a conflict of interest.

Syazlin was representing the Housing and Local Government Ministry, the Fire and Rescue Department, and the family of the deceased.

Dr Mahathir said when Syazlin found out (about the conflict of interest), she should have declined to represent the government. 

“She should have instead just continued to represent Adib’s family.”

Thomas said he was shocked to subsequently find out that Syazlin had also withdrawn from her role as Adib’s family’s legal representative.

The events have prompted Malay rights groups to accuse the government of trying to influence the outcome of the inquest. The same groups had previously accused the government of covering up the real cause of Adib’s death and of failing to bring his killers to justice.

Coalition of Muslim NGOs, Ummah, has threatened to hold a protest rally if the government does not explain the reason for Syazlin’s withdrawal from the case.

On calls for the attorney-general to be sacked, Dr Mahathir said there was no basis for the demands.

“These people are going at him for no reason. A lawyer representing two parties should resign.

“The lawyer was agreed to by the minister (Zuraida). Should I also sack her?” – May 28, 2019.