NAJIB Razak today said that he is now left without a defence counsel after his lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik was not given time by the Federal Court to prepare for his trial.

The former prime minister said that his new lawyers had indicated that they were unwilling to continue with the proceedings because they had very limited time to prepare for the appeal.

“I’m now left in effect and reality, without a defence counsel and that is the most unfortunate part and I’m not able to present my defence, and I believe I have a strong and credible defence.

“I wish to record my objections in the strongest of terms in the appeal proceedings today where my rights, life and liberty and right to a fair hearing is at stake,” he told reporters after proceedings today. 

He said that as a result of the Federal Court dismissing his lawyers’ request for adjournment to prepare for his hearing, his defence could not be put across in court today and only the prosecution was able to make their submissions.

Hisyam is still Najib’s counsel in the eyes of the court. However, he has chosen not to argue the case. 

Najib said that in such a high-profile case, it is totally unprecedented that the defence is left without a counsel. 

“Unfortunately the court would not allow them to be discharged and that includes my team of solicitors as well.

“This is a very serious matter and I hope the court will take into account and make remedial measures at some point of time.

He said that when a new team comes on board in such a complex case as this, there are voluminous documents that have to be processed and understood, and used in the submissions.

“I believe there are 200 volumes of documents which have to be understood and processed.

“Bearing in mind all these difficulties, Hisyam asked for a reasonable amount of time and a team of lawyers to be prepared for a high-profile complex case. 

“Hisyam, given reasonable time, he would defend me. Nevertheless I do pray and I do hope for a fair trial and for justice to prevail.”

For his part, Hisyam said that he was in no position to argue the case because he applied for a three-month extension and was not given enough time to go through the documents.

“Under such circumstance my team couldn’t effectively proceed to defend him (Najib). 

“I asked to discharge myself as lead counsel but the court declined my application.

“I can see no meaningful way I can do it where the proceedings are concerned. 

“Because we are in no way prepared to argue the case. We cannot effectively represent Najib.”

He said if given a reasonable period of time he would return and take point for point against the prosecution.

“This is what a fair trial is all about. But we have been denied, so under the circumstances I am not able to present Najib.

“So in essence, Najib got no legal representation. That is the bottom line.” – August 18, 2022.