HISYAM Teh Poh Teik, lead counsel for former prime minister Najib Razak in his SRC International trial, has just stunned the Federal Court by applying for leave to recuse himself and his team from the case.

The sudden move would leave Najib without counsel in his final appeal, with Hisyam citing inadequate time to prepare a suitable defence.

“My apology is sincere and from the bottom of my heart. I am unable to act in this case.

“It was my error in judgement in taking the case.

“I was hopeful that the court would grant discretion in my favour, due to the scope and depth of the appeal.”

Ad hoc prosecutor V Sithambaram said that he had no objection to Hisyam recusing himself.

The five-member bench, led by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, was not pleased with Hisyam’s sudden announcement.

She said that the courts have the jurisdiction so that they can function properly. 

“Do you still want to leave your client unrepresented? You do recognise that?”

Hisyam then replied yes and reiterated that his team was not prepared for the case.

“I accept everything my lady says. Perhaps it was an error on my judgement.”

The court then adjourned briefly for the panel to deliberate.

On July 28, 2020, then High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali sentenced Najib to 12 years in prison and a RM210 million fine for criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power.

The conviction and sentence were later upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Najib, 69, is represented by Hisyam, Zaid Ibrahim, Liew Teck Huat and M. Rueben, while the prosecution is led by ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram, who is assisted by deputy public prosecutors Donald Joseph Franklin, Sulaiman Kho Kheng Fuei, Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul and Manjira Vasudevan. – August 18, 2022.