Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was far too entrenched in Umno to be able to administer justice as a prosecutor properly, said PKR vice-president N Surendran.
In a press release today, Surendran legal ethics dictates that a prosecuting counsel must regard themselves as "ministers of justice and not to struggle for a conviction" and conduct cases "moderately".
Surendran argued that Shafee had acted on behalf of key Umno leaders against Anwar in civil cases and was allegedly part of a "special assignment" for Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.
Coupled with the fact that Umno and Najib were "implacable political enemies of Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat", Surendran said it was undeniable that the government and Umno were out to destroy Pakatan by any means necessary.
"In such circumstances, how can the attorney-genereal Abdul Gani Patail justify appointing an Umno-linked Shafee as lead prosecutor?" said Surendran, who is also a prominent lawyer and Padang Serai MP.
In a press release today, Surendran legal ethics dictates that a prosecuting counsel must regard themselves as "ministers of justice and not to struggle for a conviction" and conduct cases "moderately".
Surendran argued that Shafee had acted on behalf of key Umno leaders against Anwar in civil cases and was allegedly part of a "special assignment" for Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.
Coupled with the fact that Umno and Najib were "implacable political enemies of Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat", Surendran said it was undeniable that the government and Umno were out to destroy Pakatan by any means necessary.
"In such circumstances, how can the attorney-genereal Abdul Gani Patail justify appointing an Umno-linked Shafee as lead prosecutor?" said Surendran, who is also a prominent lawyer and Padang Serai MP.
Objections raise
Shafee is currently representing Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin in a defamation suit brought by Anwar. Shafee had also once represented the "Datuk T" trio - Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, Shuaib Lazim and Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik - who screened a sex video depicting a man resembling Anwar.
It was also once alleged that Shafee acted for Najib and Rosmah on a "special assignment" entailing visits to New York, London, Dubai and possibly Paris in April last year to talk to witnesses.
Shafee had brushed off the allegations as "utter rubbish".
It was revealed in 2008 that Najib and Shafee had exchanged a series of phone text messages in late 2006 over Abdul Razak Baginda, who was once Najib's confidante charged with abetting two police personnel in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.
The hearing for the government's appeal against Anwar's acquittal was scheduled to begin this morning, but it was postponed because defence counsel Karpal Singh was ill.
However, it was revealed that Shafee was appointed as lead prosecutor, prompting the defence to raise an objection. Justice Ramly Ali, who is leading the three-member Court of Appeal bench, said the matter should only be raised during the hearing proper.
Shafee had brushed off the allegations as "utter rubbish".
It was revealed in 2008 that Najib and Shafee had exchanged a series of phone text messages in late 2006 over Abdul Razak Baginda, who was once Najib's confidante charged with abetting two police personnel in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.
The hearing for the government's appeal against Anwar's acquittal was scheduled to begin this morning, but it was postponed because defence counsel Karpal Singh was ill.
However, it was revealed that Shafee was appointed as lead prosecutor, prompting the defence to raise an objection. Justice Ramly Ali, who is leading the three-member Court of Appeal bench, said the matter should only be raised during the hearing proper.
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