Najib's counsel objects to COA judge sitting in apex court

Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said Justice Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, who is a Court of Appeal judge, should not be present on the panel on this matter.

The counsel also wanted Justice Abu Bakar to recuse himself, stating that only Federal Court judges should be on the bench.

Muhammad Shafee said according to Section 74 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1974, the composition of the Federal Court judges must consist of all Federal Court judges.

"This is nothing personal as I have known Justice Abu Bakar since service days," he said.

Lead prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram countered that such an arrangement to co-opt a Court of Appeal judge is allowed under Article 122 (2) of the Federal Constitution.

He also said the objection against the judge must show a real danger of bias.

Justice Abu Bakar is part of the five-judge panel chaired by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli to hear Najib's review application.

The other judges on the panel are Federal Court judges Datuk Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and Datuk Nordin Hassan.

Najib is seeking to overturn the decision made by a five-member bench of the Federal Court led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on Aug 23 last year in upholding his conviction and 12-year jail sentence and fine for misappropriation of RM42 million of SRC International funds.

Sithambaran further submitted that Justice Tengku Maimun has fulfilled the requirements of Article 122 of the Federal Constitution with the selection of Justice Abu Bakar on the panel.

The defence's bid to shape the panel, Sithambaram said, was "highly offensive and contemptuous".

"We sitting at the Bar cannot tell the court how they come up with the panel. That's contemptious," Sithambaram said.

He also said that the defence should not be seeking any special treatment over the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Shafee said Justice Tengku Maimun has not shown any reasons on why Judge Abu Bakar was selected to be in the panel.

The lawwer said there are seven Federal Court judges at present who can be picked to sit and fill the bench today.

"Intstead of Justice Abu Bakar, there are several other potential bench members who could be selected out of the seven Federal Court judges," he added.

-- BERNAMA