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...