Yusof defends decision to join Anwar's defence team

Despite receiving brickbats for his decision to join Anwar Ibrahim’s defence team, former solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden defended his move and said he had expected criticism.

Saying many times that “I am a professional", Yusof said it would be naive to say that he did not expect the backlash.

Yusof (left) had served in the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), where he was long-time head of prosecution, retiring as the third most senior officer earlier this year.

During this time, he had led the prosecution team in the Sodomy II trial against Anwar, who was eventuallyacquitted.

This was also Yusof's final case for the AGC, although he had been quick torecommend an appealagainst the sodomy verdict.

“Yes, my family and I had expected this coming (for my decision to defend Anwar on the Bersih 3.0 charge). It would be wrong or naive of me not to expect it.

“However, I am a professional (whether) working in the AGC or as a lawyer. I received a call from a person asking me whether I would like to join Anwar’s defence team. I said 'why not?', as this (the Peaceful Assembly Act) is a new law. And then Anwar called me at 10pm on Monday.

“So that was that and as a professional I attended the court session (yesterday) and did what was required with Karpal Singh and the rest of the co-counsel,” he toldMalaysiakini.

His move has received flak on some pro-Umno blogs.

Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan had tweeted: 'mpkotabelud @movebabymove: SODOMY II PROSECUTOR NOW IN ANWAR’S LEGAL TEAM. GOD IS GREAT! Yup, my neighbour said now he knew why Anwar was acquitted.'

Yusof said he had expected the adverse comments but “would do the talking in court”.

Asked whether he had felt awkward about being on the defence team, given his involvement in the Sodomy II trial since 2008, Yusof said there was nothing different,

He noted that he had been on the bench, serving as a magistrate and sessions court judge for nine years, and that he loves being on the ground with prosecutors and lawyers.

“It is not awkward at all for me as I like to be on the floor (whether as) a prosecutor or a lawyer,” he said.

'No intention to join PAS'

As to speculation that he is scheduled to join PAS next month, Yusof maintained what he said yesterday - that he does not have any political affiliation.

“There is no truth (in talk that) I will join a political party or PAS next month, as I am apolitical and I do not have any political affiliation.

“As I said, I am a professional and will do the talking in court."

Although talk persists about his acrimonous relationship with Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail (right), Yusof insists that he and Gani are “good friends”.

While there may be times when they have a difference in opinion, he said, they are friends.

He added that he also has good rapport with those still in the AGC and with lawyers in private practice.