Judge recuses himself from hearing QC’s bid to represent Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: A High Court judge recused himself from hearing UK lawyer Jonathan Laidlaw’s bid to be admitted before the courts here so he can represent Najib Razak’s SRC International appeal.

Judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said he was previously with Umno and served as a senator before becoming a judge.

Wan Ahmad added that one of his immediate family members was an Umno leader – the party that Najib used to lead.

“In light of the factual narration that I alluded to earlier, my continued hearing of this motion (for admission) and eventual decision, one way or the other, would not be seen as purely from the legal perspective devoid of any extraneous predilection or preferences.

“I would invite unnecessary criticism that would compromise the integrity of the judiciary,” he said.

Mention for Laidlaw’s bid for ad-hoc admission was initially fixed for today. — Free Malaysia Today

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