KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer Zarina Ismail yesterday withdrew from representing her brother, Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail, who is charged with five counts of cheating National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) former director Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail, involving RM1.755 million.
Zarina, among the lawyers representing the businessman, informed the court of her decision when the case came up for case management before Sessions Court judge Rozilah Salleh.
Earlier, Rozilah had advised her to do so after the prosecution, represented by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Prosecution Unit head Datuk Abdul Razak Musa told the court that it would be prejudicial to the case if she did not.
On July 27, the prosecution requested Zarina to withdraw from the case on the grounds that she was the accused’s younger sister and also an important witness in the case.
Meanwhile, Abdul Abdul Razak informed the court that the prosecution and the defence had agreed that there was no need to call former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad and the arresting officer in the case, Inspector Chua Keh
Tong, from the Bukit Perdana Commercial crime Investigation Department, to testify as witnesses in the case.
The prosecution and the defence have agreed to only record their statements, he added.
Lawyers Afifuddin Mohd Hafifi and Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, also representing Shamsubahrin, confirmed this.
Rozilah then said hearing of the case would begin on Sept 10 as was set earlier.
Besides the five cheating charges, Shamsubahrin, is also charged with 17 counts of money laundering, involving RM1.755 million.
Both the cases would be heard together. — Bernama