FMT:
Gobind, DPP in heated exchange over Guan Eng trial
Defence counsel says ‘Don’t threaten me’ after sarcastic clap and remark by lead prosecutor.
Trial judge Azura Alwi told lawyer Gobind Singh Deo (left) and DPP Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin to stop arguing over a defence bid to obtain evidence from another trial.
KUALA LUMPUR: The defence and prosecution in Lim Guan Eng’s undersea tunnel corruption trial got into an argument after the prosecution’s preliminary objection to an application to compel it to produce evidence from another trial was dismissed.
Lim’s defence team had applied for discovery of a report on WhatsApp conversations between businessmen G Gnanaraja and Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli, which the prosecution had tendered in a separate criminal case involving Gnanaraja.
The defence contends that the conversations are relevant as Zarul is presently testifying for the prosecution, with Gnanaraja also expected to be called as a witness in the case.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin objected to the application, claiming that exhibits annexed to Lim’s affidavit were not relevant and were procedurally defective.
However, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo told trial judge Azura Alwi the prosecution’s objections went into the merits of the matter and ought to be raised when the application is heard.
Agreeing with Gobind, Azura fixed the application for hearing on March 23.
That triggered an exchange between Wan Shaharuddin and Gobind, with the DPP telling the judge he was ready to argue the application today despite having told the court otherwise, earlier in the session.
When Gobind reminded the court of Shahruddin’s earlier stand, the DPP clapped sarcastically, telling Azura: “This is the quality of lawyers now.”
Irked by the remark, Gobind asked: “Is this the standard of our DPPs today?” He also threatened to move the court to hold Wan Shaharuddin in contempt and warned him: “Don’t threaten me.”
Azura reprimanded Wan Shaharuddin for his gesture, which she said was “not necessary”.
She also told Gobind to stop arguing with Wan Shaharuddin after the lawyer accused the DPP of being “afraid” to have the application heard for fear of an adverse outcome.
Lim is standing trial for using his position as the then Penang chief minister to ask Zarul for a 10% cut of the profits from the roads-and-tunnel project.
The former finance minister is also accused of seeking RM3.3 million in kickbacks to appoint Zarul’s company to undertake the project.
He also faces two counts of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land given to two companies.
Lim is also represented by lawyers Haijan Omar and RSN Rayer, while DPPs Law Chin How, Mukzany Fariz Mokhtar also appeared for the prosecution.
Lawyer Ameerul Aizat Noor Haslan held a watching brief for the Malaysian Bar.
KUALA LUMPUR: The defence and prosecution in Lim Guan Eng’s undersea tunnel corruption trial got into an argument after the prosecution’s preliminary objection to an application to compel it to produce evidence from another trial was dismissed.
Lim’s defence team had applied for discovery of a report on WhatsApp conversations between businessmen G Gnanaraja and Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli, which the prosecution had tendered in a separate criminal case involving Gnanaraja.
The defence contends that the conversations are relevant as Zarul is presently testifying for the prosecution, with Gnanaraja also expected to be called as a witness in the case.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin objected to the application, claiming that exhibits annexed to Lim’s affidavit were not relevant and were procedurally defective.
However, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo told trial judge Azura Alwi the prosecution’s objections went into the merits of the matter and ought to be raised when the application is heard.
Agreeing with Gobind, Azura fixed the application for hearing on March 23.
That triggered an exchange between Wan Shaharuddin and Gobind, with the DPP telling the judge he was ready to argue the application today despite having told the court otherwise, earlier in the session.
When Gobind reminded the court of Shahruddin’s earlier stand, the DPP clapped sarcastically, telling Azura: “This is the quality of lawyers now.”
Irked by the remark, Gobind asked: “Is this the standard of our DPPs today?” He also threatened to move the court to hold Wan Shaharuddin in contempt and warned him: “Don’t threaten me.”
Azura reprimanded Wan Shaharuddin for his gesture, which she said was “not necessary”.
She also told Gobind to stop arguing with Wan Shaharuddin after the lawyer accused the DPP of being “afraid” to have the application heard for fear of an adverse outcome.
Lim is standing trial for using his position as the then Penang chief minister to ask Zarul for a 10% cut of the profits from the roads-and-tunnel project.
The former finance minister is also accused of seeking RM3.3 million in kickbacks to appoint Zarul’s company to undertake the project.
He also faces two counts of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land given to two companies.
Lim is also represented by lawyers Haijan Omar and RSN Rayer, while DPPs Law Chin How, Mukzany Fariz Mokhtar also appeared for the prosecution.
Lawyer Ameerul Aizat Noor Haslan held a watching brief for the Malaysian Bar.
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