Explain why you want your PERSONAL LAWYER to prosecute Anwar

I refer to the decision of the Federal Court on 21-11-2013 allowing lawyer Shafee Abdullah to act as prosecutor in the 'Fitnah 2' appeal against Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This shocking decision deprives Anwar Ibrahim of his basic constitutional right that the prosecution against him be conducted fairly and ethically.

Shafee Abdullah was present at Prime Minister Najib's residence when the complainant Saiful Azlan Bukhari met with Najib. Further, Shafee is also Najib and Rosmah's personal lawyer and has close links with Umno. Knowing the political animosity of Najib and Umno against Anwar, how can the Federal Court allow Shafee Abdullah to be prosecutor against Anwar? The decision goes against every basic concept of fairness and justice in our legal system!

In making such a decision, the Federal Court have failed in their duty to do justice to Anwar as an accused person seeking redress from the courts. In the annals of Malaysian and Commonwealth legal history, it is unprecedented for a person so intimately involved in a criminal case to be appointed as lead prosecutor.

The decision plunges prosecutorial standards in Malaysia to a disgraceful new low; and further undermines public confidence in the judiciary.

Najib must break his silence, and explain why his personal lawyer has been chosen to conduct the prosecution against Anwar; the Malaysian public is entitled to know. We further demand that A-G Abdul Gani Patail immediately dismisses Shafee Abdullah as the prosecutor in the politically-motivated 'Fitnah 2' appeal.

N SURENDRAN

Full article: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/