SHAH ALAM, 8 Dec: Utusan Malaysia’s appeal to disqualify N.Surendran as the counsel representing the General Chief of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with the excuse that he holds position as the Vice President of PKR, is deemed unreasonable.
The PKR Head of the Legal Bureau, Latheefa Koya, said that the excuse is absurd because he is also a member of the PKR central leadership.
She said that Utusan’s lawyers also gave the reason by saying that is is personal.
“Utusan’s counsel gave the reason that Surendran cannot handle the case because he is the Vice-President, while his client (Anwar) is the General Chief.
“Utusan’s lawyer also used the excuse on grounds of personal interests. We deem the excuse as absurd because I myself am a member of the supreme council,” she said when contacted by Selangor Kini today.
Yesterday, Utusan reportedly appealed to disqualify Surendran as Anwar’s counsel in the case linking the PKR General Chief with the Lahad Datu intrusion in Sabah.
Lateefa said that following Utusan’s appeal, she will object to the appeal of the lawyer involves on grounds that the excuse given is unreasonable.
“We will answer the affidavit first. But before that, we will oppose the appeal by Utusan’s counsel,” she said.
In March, Anwar filed a suit against Utusan Malaysia and TV3 for RM200 million for refusing to make an apology regarding reports linking him to the intrusion.
The case will be heard on 25 February 2014, while the trial will be held on 14 and 15 April 2014.