KUALA LUMPUR – Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and his wife, Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, are left with only one defence counsel after the couple reportedly dropped five other lawyers.
Lawyer M. Puravalen confirmed with Scoop this morning that he is the only one left to represent the couple.
He confirmed that lawyers Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden – who is also former solicitor-general II – as well as Cheah Kha Mun, Alex Tan, Md Yunos Shariff and Beston Tan were dropped from the team.
It was reported earlier that the decision to terminate the retainer of the five counsels was over a difference of opinion with the couple. The retainer was terminated on January 24.
Daim is expected to face charges next week for allegedly failing to declare his assets.
Previously, Na’imah was represented by all six lawyers when she was charged in court last Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Na’imah was brought to court to face one charge for failing to declare her assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, to which she pleaded not guilty.
Daim and his family, on January 10, filed an application for leave for a judicial review seeking court’s declaration that MACC’s investigation into his wealth was unlawful.
The court fixed March 4 to decide on the application. – January 26, 2024