Pahang MB sued by his own lawyers

Senior lawyers Manjeet Singh Dhillon and Americk Singh have filed a suit against the Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob for unpaid legal fees.

The duo filed their suit last January, at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, and the hearing has been fixed for April 26.

In their statement of claim, the lawyers are claiming RM214,825 in unpaid legal fees for representing the menteri besar until the settlement of his defamation suit against Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia last year.

Adnan, in his statement of defence, said he is capable of paying the amount, and added that he has already paid the two lawyers RM210,000 in legal fees.

Americk and Manjeet, the latter who was a former president of the Malaysian Bar, said they were appointed by Adnan on Nov 11, 2014, and acted for him at the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.

At the High Court, Utusan Malaysia's bid to strike out the suit failed, but they were successful in their appeal at the Court of Appeal after the High Court's ruling that Adnan could not sue in his official capacity.

However, at the Federal Court, a bench led by then Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria reinstated the suit, and ordered the trial to proceed at the High Court without ruling on the locus standi issue.

It was reported that Adnan settled the suit against Utusan Malaysia last August.

The suit was filed over a 2014 article published in the Malay daily entitled "Hebat sangatkah Adnan."

In their reply to Adnan's defence, Americk said Adnan only paid fees for their appearance at Federal Court, but not for the Court of Appeal or the High Court.

They also denied the menteri besar's claim that they had been paid RM210,000. -Mkini