The Syariah Appeal Court dismissed today a syariah lawyer’s application to withdraw himself from representing the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) and two others in a defamation appeal by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.  

The three-member panel led by Judge Zohdi Toha unanimously dismissed Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar’s application on a technical ground, stating that the lawyer had used the wrong form.

Zohdi, who presided with Judges Aidi Moktar and Hussin Harun also ordered Zainul Rijal to pay costs.

NONE “In this case, Zainul Rijal ( left ) wished to withdraw from representing his three clients but used Form MS 19, which is the wrong one and he has not informed his clients of the matter,” said the judge.   

Zohdi said the court had decided that Zainul Rijal still represented his clients in the defamation appeal brought by Anwar against his former personal assistant, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.  

On Aug 18 last year, Zainul Rijal filed the application to withdraw himself from representing Federal Territory Syariah chief prosecutor Shamsuddin Hussain, Jawi director Che Mat Che Ali and Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom.  

On the same day, Anwar filed an application to prevent Zainul Rijal from representing the same clients in relation to the defamation case, claiming the lawyer was unprofessional and dishonest.

Meanwhile, syariah lawyer Kamar Ainiah Kamaruzaman told reporters she had to discuss the matter with her client Anwar to decide if the application against Zainul Rijal should be withdrawn.    

Meanwhile, Zainul Rijal said he was determined to withdraw himself from representing the three clients and would be submitting the correct forms as soon as possible.

- Bernama