RM102,800 in 2009 and RM83,900 in 2010 (Part 2)

 

When Sivarasa Rasiah was in the opposition, he represented Sri Aman Development against MBPJ. Once Pakatan Rakyat took over the Selangor State Government, Sivarasa did a U-turn. He changed sides. He became a turncoat and represented MBPJ against Sri Aman Development. Maybe the documents below can speak for themselves. What was it again? PKR lawyers did not scam legal work from the Selangor State Government?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Since 2009, my firm M/s Daim & Gamany have been retained by MBPJ to defend it in four cases. Two cases involved judicial review challenges brought by advertising companies unhappy with its new billboard policy. Two other cases involved a judicial review challenge initiated by a developer unhappy with stop work orders issued by MBPJ and a related civil suit.

The firm is paid according to a scale of fees applicable to all firms retained by it. I believe there are about 14 firms on that list. Four cases does not amount to the "large amount" or "a good chunk" or the "legal work dished out exclusively to PKR leaders" that Raja Petra alleges.

I believe I am retained by MBPJ to defend it in these cases because judicial review is one of my areas of practice and as a lawyer of 24 years experience, they believe I am competent to defend their interest.

I have no executive role in MBPJ or in the Selangor State government. No question of any conflict of interest arises at all. Similarly with Latheefa Koya. She practices as a legal assistant with Daim & Gamany. She is also a councillor of MBPJ. Hence she ensures she stays OUT of all meetings and decision making in respect of cases that are referred to my firm.

These issues about my firm receiving work from MBPJ and Latheefa's role were raised two years ago by Wee Choo Keong after he left PKR. MBPJ clarified then that there was no conflict of interest on the part of Latheefa and myself. A simple check would have verified that. Raja Petra insinuates scurrilously that I seem to have suddenly increased my personal wealth as a result of being given huge amounts of legal work by MBPJ.

Sivarasa’s statement on 9th January 2012