BN candidate Rohaizat Othman's former legal firm partner, Yusri Isahak, today stressed that he gained no reward in revealing the goings-on in the firm.

NONE Yusri, 39, said he held a press conference in Bukit Mertajam on Aug 20 solely to clear his name which had been tarnished following allegations by certain individuals that he had misappropriated or misused the firm's money.

"My intention was not to bring down Rohaizat who is contesting in the Permatang Pasir by-election, but he was equally responsible over the firm's financial matters," he told a press conference at the Grand Seasons Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Yusri said he was treated as the sacrificial lamb in the issue of land purchase by Koperasi Pekebun Getah Negeri Pulau Pinang (KPGNPP) in 2002 and the revocation of Rohaizat's civil lawyer's licence.

A law partner with Rohaizat for five years from 1999, Yusri said any dealings of the firm was with Rohaizat's approval.

Not instigated to issue statement

Yusri is now a businessman and no longer a legal practitioner although his civil lawyer's licence had not been revoked but he did not renew it since 2004.

He regretted that his statement which was meant to defend himself, was used as political capital by irresponsible quarters to malign the BN candidate for the Permatang Pasir by-election.

Yusri who has known Rohaizat since 1989 when both were studying at the same university, said he did not want any baseless accusation to be made against Rohaizat by irresponsible parties to serve their own political interest.

He said his previous media statements on the issue were not made on the instigation of any individual or political party, and hoped that the public understood the real situation.

- Bernama