Tourism Malaysia hires 'watching brief' lawyer for Azizul and Shalwati trial

Director-General of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab is currently in Stockholm to observe the trial of Azizul Raheem Awaluddin and Shalwati Nor Shal, charged with abusing their four children.

He has also appointed Swedish lawyer, Timo Manninen, to observe the trial, which starts on February 18 at 4pm Malaysian time, on behalf of Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysian government.

Datuk Mirza says that he is shocked to hear the charges as Azizul has served Tourism Malaysia since 1990 and is very dedicated to his job and performs well consistently.

However, when asked if this case against Azizul will affect his career with Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Mirza says that it depends on the outcome of the court and also the consideration of a Tourism Malaysia disciplinary committee.

Azizul and Shalwati have been detained since December 2013 and their trial is expected to go on until March 10, 2014 at the Solna District Court in Stockholm.

They have been charged for abusing their four children since 2010.

Their children are now under the care of an aunty in Kelantan after they were brought back from Sweden by Malaysian Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister, Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin last month.