PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lead defence counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik says he will file fresh submissions to defend the former prime minister in his final appeal against his conviction and sentence in the SRC International case.
Earlier, a five-judge panel of the Federal Court, led by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, had barred the senior lawyer from discharging himself from representing Najib.
ALSO READ: Najib’s final SRC appeal: Federal Court denies Hisyam’s oral application to discharge self
“Just now, when asked whether I would be relying on the written submissions at the Court of Appeal, I said yes.
“At this juncture, I would like to put on record that I wish to file fresh written submissions,” Hisyam said.
ALSO READ: Najib’s final SRC appeal: Lead defence counsel applies to discharge himself
However, there was no indication when the defence would do so.
He said this when the hearing resumed after lunch and before the prosecution continued with its submissions.
However, towards the end of the proceedings, Hisyam “clarified” with the court that he would only file the fresh submissions if the defence were granted an adjournment.
The Chief Justice then responded that the matter had been resolved and there would be no adjournment.
When met later, Hisyam confirmed that the fresh submissions could only be done if there was an adjournment.
When asked further on what would happen tomorrow, Hisyam said that he would not be submitting in the proceedings.
“It’s up to the court to make its decision (without the defence submissions). I’ve got no submissions to make.
“This is unprecedented,” he said before leaving.