Malaysiakini:
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by Susan Loone
Although lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla (above, left) has dismissed speculation that places him as the link between his client Yusoff Rawther (above, right) and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, criticism against him continues to pour in.
In Bukit Mertajam today, "Pro '98 Reformis" - a group of pioneer supporters of Anwar Ibrahim - questioned Haniff about harbouring “higher ambitions” in appearing as counsel for Muhammed Yusoff Rawther.
Yusoff, 26, created waves when he accused Anwar of sexual misconduct in his statutory declaration, allegations which the PKR president has denied.
Pro ’98 Reformis Malaysia Penang branch secretary Amir Ghazali urged Haniff to quit “gutter politicking” or give up the post of chairperson of the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda).
Yusoff, 26, created waves when he accused Anwar of sexual misconduct in his statutory declaration, allegations which the PKR president has denied.
Pro ’98 Reformis Malaysia Penang branch secretary Amir Ghazali urged Haniff to quit “gutter politicking” or give up the post of chairperson of the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda).
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From Nikkei Asian Review: Anwar faces new sexual assault charge in power struggle Malaysia's prime minister-in-waiting denies allegations, calls them a plot to hurt his image |
Amir told Haniff to focus on reforming Perda instead of playing political games involving Yusoff, who is the grandson of the late Consumers Association of Penang president SM Mohamed Idris.
Amir said Haniff had "shamelessly got involved in a dirty political ploy" against Anwar by representing Yusof.
"Haniff could have chosen not to do so," Amir said.
Previously, in dismissing the link with Mahathir, Haniff said that as a practising lawyer, he could not refuse any client except in exceptional situations.
Haniff said such situations - a conflict of interest or professional embarrassment - did not arise in Yusoff's case.
Amir said Haniff had "shamelessly got involved in a dirty political ploy" against Anwar by representing Yusof.
"Haniff could have chosen not to do so," Amir said.
Previously, in dismissing the link with Mahathir, Haniff said that as a practising lawyer, he could not refuse any client except in exceptional situations.
Haniff said such situations - a conflict of interest or professional embarrassment - did not arise in Yusoff's case.
Malaysiakini has contacted Haniff over Amir's remarks and is awaiting the former's reply.
Amir also poured cold water on Haniff's denial of having no ulterior motives against Anwar.
"Is he looking for a bigger post?" Amir asked, accusing Haniff of being a "tool of a certain leader" to destroy Anwar's reputation.
"Who does Haniff represent? He is Perda chairperson, Perda is a federal agency, can he do something like this?” Amir asked.
Amir also poured cold water on Haniff's denial of having no ulterior motives against Anwar.
"Is he looking for a bigger post?" Amir asked, accusing Haniff of being a "tool of a certain leader" to destroy Anwar's reputation.
"Who does Haniff represent? He is Perda chairperson, Perda is a federal agency, can he do something like this?” Amir asked.
By all means raise the issue and doubt about Hanif Khatri but why not raise the issue of Hot Shot lawyer Muhammad Shafee who was UMNO lawyer for decades, charged with money laundering and now defending Jibby?
ReplyDeleteIf there is suspicion for Hanif Khatri there is even more suspicion for Muhammad Shafee.
Same principle but different application?
Why is he allowed to defend Jibby in court when he himself is implicated with receiving millions from Jibby's infamous PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNT and Allah-Knows-What-Shafee did with the money but we do know the Court made a favourable decision (from Jibby's point of view) on the Anwar Sodomy 2 case.
QUOTE
Najib paid Shafee RM9.5m as Sodomy II prosecutor, says AGC officer
Thursday, 06 Sep 2018
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah received RM9.5 million from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when he led the Sodomy II prosecution team against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, an officer from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) claimed
An affidavit from Siti Rahayu Mohd Mumazaini, which was released by PKR president Anwar’s office, claimed the new information came to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s knowledge on June 26 after the change of government in the 14th general election.
“The information establishes that the appellant’s (Anwar) allegation that Shafee received a payment of RM9.5 million from Najib was true and that Shafee’s denial of this allegation in paragraph 28 f Shafee’s affidavit was untruthful,” said the special task officer to the attorney general.
She claimed that Najib had issued two cheques on September 11, 2013 and February 14, 2014 for RM4.3 million and RM5.2 million respectively from his bank account. Shafee allegedly received RM9.5 million in two tranches of RM4.3 million and RM5.2 million in his bank accounts on September 13, 2013 and February 17, 2014 respectively.
The AGC officer claimed the information was obtained pursuant to investigations into Shafee under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Shafee served as the Special Prosecutor in the appeal of Anwar’s acquittal beginning in July 2013 until the case concluded at the Federal Court in February 2015.
“The fact that TS Shafee also received RM 9.5 million from Datuk Seri Najib’s personal bank account during the time frame of his role as prosecutor in my appeal destroys his credibility as an unbiased agent of the Attorney General’s Chambers,” Anwar’s office said in a statement.
“I maintain that TS Shafee should never have been allowed to prosecute the Appeal in the first place.
UNQUOTE
you are confused in your attempt to connect - matter of conflict of interests - Shafee has always been with UMNO
DeleteHaniff is lawyer for mahathir, a rival of Anwar, but is now representing someone adverse to anwar which may turn out to be to mahathir's advantage in the tussle for the PM position - that means haniff could be seen, and in the news extract, is indeed seen to be ........ you work it, you're a smart lil' boy, wakakaka
Aaahhh mental gymnastics that would win a gold medal at the SEA Games....triple twist double somersault landing on the backside....ha ha ha...nice try.
DeleteSEA Games Gold Medallist in evasive mental gymnastics
DeleteIf you or anyone believes 'old goat' is up to something pls remove him as PM.
ReplyDeleteThat will solve the problem.
If you can't just shut up!
As I said before, Ktemoc is just as bad as the Ketuanan freaks who made a big issue of current Attorney General Tommy Thomas appointment, since he represented Chin Peng's as lawyer in his suit against the Malaysian Government, to allow him to enter Malaysia per the terms of the Haatyai Peace Agreement.
ReplyDelete