The Kuala Lumpur High Court here today allowed Messrs Fakrul Hisham Abdullah & Associates to discharge itself from representing the wife of Kelantan prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry, and her mother in the RM105 million defamation suit brought against them by the prince.

Manohara Odelia Pino, 17, is kissed by her mother, Daisy Senior assistant registrar Shazali Hidayat Shariff, in granting the firm's application, also ordered that the discharge order be served to Manohara Odelia Pinot and her mother, Daisy Fajarina, before Oct 28.

The court set Oct 29 to mention the case to ensure the order is served to both the defendants, who are now in Indonesia.

On Sept 25, the legal firm, represented by lawyer Noor Hisham Abdullah, filed an application to discharge itself from representing Manohara and Daisy on grounds that the defendants did not extend their full cooperation , making it difficult for the firm to prepare the relevant documents to defend their case.

Have yet to enter their defence

The firm, which was appointed to represent Manohara and Daisy on July 30, had served a preliminary discharge notice from the case to their clients through registered post to Jakarta on Sept 20 and Oct 5.

Until now, Manohara and Daisy have yet to enter their defence.

Lawyer Mohd Haaziq Pillay, counsel for Tengku Muhammad Fakhry, told reporters outside the court that if Manohara and Daisy were to appoint a new counsel, they would have 14 days to file their defence, failing which a judgment in default could be obtained.

In the suit filed on July 20, the Kelantan Prince is suing his wife and mother-in law, claiming that they had falsely and maliciously defamed him in allegations they made at news conferences between April and June about Manohara being abused. - Bernama