The Court of Appeal ruled today that former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram can appear in court to represent his clients over the alleged embezzlement of RM16 million in funds meant for the Linggui Valley Orang Asli community.

Gopal had been asked to represent lawyers Kanawagi Seperumaniam and Dinesh Kanawagi in the case, but his involvement was met with objections due to having presided over two separate cases involving the Linggui Valley Orang Asli and their trust fund during his tenure as a judge.

“We find no merit and therefore dismiss this motion,” said Court of Appeal judge Idrus Harun in reading the court’s unanimous decision. The panel also consisted of judges Zabariah Mohd Yusof and Hasnah Mohammed Hashim.

Last year, the High Court found Kanawagi, Dinesh, and their law firm liable for misusing, mismanaging, and misappropriating money meant for the Linggui Valley Orang Asli, and ordered the 27 apartments allegedly bought with the trust money to be handed back to the trust fund.

In 2000, the Johor High Court ruled that the Linggui Valley Orang Asli were to be compensated RM38,554,111.92 after their land had been acquired for the construction of a dam.

Of the sum, RM22 million was to be held under the Lembah Linggui Trust Fund, while RM16,554,111.98 was to be handed to Kanawagi and Dinesh’s law firm to be paid to the Orang Asli after deduction of legal fees.

However, the Orang Asli later accused their lawyers of embezzling the RM16 million, which the lawyers denied.

Saling Lau Bee Chiang and 76 other members of the Jakun tribe filed subsequently filed suit against Kanawagi and Dinesh in 2009. 

Kanawagi, Dinesh, and the firm have since appealed against last year's High Court ruling and appointed Gopal to represent them.