The Bar Council will send out urgent letters of appeal to all syariah lawyers in Terengganu today to represent 45 followers of self-styled spiritual leader Ayah Pin who are unable to find lawyers to defend them against court charges.

Chairperson Yeoh Yang Poh ( left ) said the council had just obtained a full list of the state's syariah lawyers and will be sending a plea to each of them by tomorrow urging them to come forward and represent the 45.

"We urge them to avail themselves as defence counsel. We hope that in the next few days, we will get positive feedback from them,"he said when contacted yesterday.

Asked what the next course of action would be if the problem persisted, Yeoh said he hoped that the Kuala Terengganu Syariah High Court would use its discretion to start the cases only after all the accused had proper legal representation.

"I hope that situation will not arise. I really hope that one of the lawyers we write to will take up the case. But I would presume that the court should be equipped with inherent jurisdiction to allow them to have legal assistance."

"Although I am not a syariah lawyer, but going by the basic (constitutional) right of all citizens to legal representation, I am sure the court will ensure that the accused have legal assistance," he added.

On Aug 4, 45 followers of Sky Kingdom sect leader Ayah Pin pleaded not guilty to a charge under Section 10 of the Syariah Criminal Offence Enactment (Takzir) (Terengganu) 2001 which relates to insulting the state religious authorities through a violation of a fatwa .

The Ayah Pin followers had allegedly committed the violation by failing to comply with a state fatwa which required all Muslims to stay away from him and his teachings.

Money factor

Yeoh said the council 'will do all that it can' to ensure that the 45 will be represented when the case is rementioned on Sept 1, adding that it succeeded in procuring a lawyer to represent the accused during an earlier bail proceeding .

He also said that the council's human rights committee may send an team to hold a watching brief if the need arises.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Syariah Lawyers Association President Mohamad Burok said the group's belief in the teachings of Ayah Pin had nothing to do with their difficulty in obtaining legal representation as contended by certain quarters.

"I was informed by a few lawyers in Terengganu that these people want free legal services. I am sure there are willing lawyers who would want to take up their cases for the appropriate fee. But for free ... that's a bit difficult.

"They are however welcome to contact our association's legal aid centre which is based in Kuala Lumpur. I am sure we can work something out to ensure that they get proper legal representation," he said.

'Cannot pre-judge'

He also expressed confidence that the Kuala Terengganu Syariah High Court would not proceed with the case until all accused are properly represented.

"Trust me, the court will give ample time for them to get lawyers. I am sure of this. It will not go on until then. I am sure they will be treated with fairness."

As to lawyers who used Ayah Pin's teachings as a reason not to accept the case, Mohamad - who has been a syariah lawyer for 23 years - said lawyers should do away such unprofessional conduct.

"As lawyers, we must be professional. We cannot pre-judge. We don't know if these people are guilty. Even if they are (guilty), their rights to have their defence heard cannot be ignored. The legal system provides for all this."