Lawyers representing former aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, have sent a letter to the government, citing public comments which they claimed risk prejudicing his trial.
Lawyer Yusmadi Yusoff told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning that they aimed to draw the government’s attention to certain statements which, in the defence’s view, carried serious implications for their client’s case.
“We only want this case to be adjudicated in court based on relevant evidence and the law. Not through the public sphere, which risks creating speculation and prejudice,” he said.
Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, also representing Shamsul, urged all parties to respect the judicial process and avoid public commentary that could influence perceptions of the case.
“If there is evidence, then present it in court, not through the media,” he stressed.
He reminded that the defence would not hesitate to take appropriate action, including seeking court intervention, should such statements continue to jeopardise his client’s right to a fair trial.
Still reviewing documents
The prosecution also informed the court that they were still reviewing and filtering documents before handing them to the defence.
Amer said that while they hoped for an immediate handover, they are still prepared to receive the documents in stages.
This, he said, would at least allow them to study the evidence and the list of witnesses related to the charges against Shamsul.
He said they might file further representations after they review the documents, including an application to transfer the case to the High Court, should there be significant legal issues to be decided on.
“We have informed the court and the prosecution that after we study the charges in their entirety, we intend to file an application to transfer this case to the High Court,” Amer said.
Following these developments, both parties agreed to set the next case mention date for March 11.
On Dec 4, Shamsul pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to four charges of receiving RM176,830 in bribes from businessperson Albert Tei.
He was charged with receiving the gratification in his capacity as the then-political secretary to Anwar, to help Tei’s company secure mineral mining licences in Sabah.
Tei has also pleaded not guilty to charges of offering bribes. - Mkini
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