Judge recuses himself from hearing UK Queen's Counsel bid to lead Najib's final appeal in SRC case

KUALA LUMPUR - A High Court judge has recused himself from hearing an application from Jonathan Laidlaw, a Queen's Counsel (QC) of the United Kingdom to represent Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the latter’s final appeal in the case involving the misappropriation of RM42 million belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh in his brief decision said he decided to recuse himself from hearing the application as one of his immediate family members is a very active politician and a divisional leader in the same political party as Najib, who is the appellant.

Justice Wan Ahmad Farid, who himself was once an Umno politician, said although he had resigned from the political party, his stand is that the public perception of the independence of the judiciary should not be put in doubt.

"It is public knowledge that before being appointed to the bench, I was an active politician and at one time, a member of the administration and Dewan Negara.

"I must add that, after taking my oath as a member of the judiciary, my only sacred duty is to preserve, protect and defend the Federal Constitution without fear or favour,” said the judge.

The mention of Laidlaw’s application for ad hoc admission was initially fixed for today.

In his final appeal in the Federal Court, Najib sought to quash his conviction and 12-year jail sentence and a fine of RM210 million on one charge of abuse of position, three charges of breach of trust and three charges of money laundering linked to SRC International funds.

Justice Wan Ahmad Farid further added that in the light of the factual narration that he alluded to earlier, his continued hearing of the originating motion and eventual decision, one way or the other, would not be seen as purely from the legal perspective devoid of any extraneous predilections or preferences.

"It would invite unnecessary criticisms that would compromise the integrity of the judiciary. This is the very thing that I have to avoid despite running the risk of being accused of abdicating my judicial duty.

"The public perception of the independence of the judiciary should not be put in doubt and it is not a matter of trial and error,” the judge said.

Justice Wan Ahmad Farid added the independent judiciary is a precious gift to any society and once it is lost, anarchy reigns.

"The independence of the judiciary must therefore be defended at any costs. For the reasons aforesaid, although there was no request made by any of the parties herein, I am recusing myself from hearing this originating motion,” he said.

Earlier, the judge had asked if the parties were comfortable with him hearing Laidlaw’s admission, to which Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is representing Laidlaw replied he had no reservation as the judge was not involved in any SRC International or 1Malaysia Development Berhad-linked matters.

Ad-hoc prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram who is leading the prosecution in the SRC International case said he would be seeking instruction from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

The lawyer from Malaysian Bar Bastian Vendargon and Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee Chairman Vivekananda Sukumaran, who are objecting to the QC application, both informed the court that they need to seek further instructions from both legal bodies.

Following the judge’s decision, Laidlaw’s application is now fixed to be heard on July 6 before another High Court judge, Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid.

On May 31, Najib filed the application to allow the QC to represent him in the SRC appeal on several grounds, one of it being Laidlaw possesses special qualifications, experience and expertise which are not available among lawyers in Malaysia.

In the originating motion, Laidlaw sought to be admitted and enrolled to practise in the High Court in Malaya or Peninsular Malaysia to appear as Najib’s lead counsel in the SRC appeals at the Federal Court and all other causes or matters related hereto. - BERNAMA