Lawyer tells Shafee to come up with better explanation for RM9.5 mil

Anwar's lawyer tells Shafee to come up with better explanation for RM9.5 mil

NST Online
New Straits Times8 September 2018



KUALA LUMPUR: Gurdial Singh Nijar, the lawyer representing PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, says the explanation by Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah on why he received RM9.5 million from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak does not inspire confidence.

Gurdial, in an interview with the Malaysian Insight, urged Shafee to come out with a more convincing explanation as the matter had far-reaching implications on the legal system.

“Especially in light of the circumstances surrounding the payment, its timing and the fact that the payment was made by Najib.

“I strongly urge Shafee to come up with a more cogent explanation to assuage public perception and disquiet, as it has implications for the integrity of the legal system and consequently perhaps even the rule of law,” Gurdial was quoted as saying.

Gurdial is also president of the National Human Rights Society (Hakam).





Gurdial Singh Nijar, the lawyer representing PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, says the explanation by Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah on why he received RM9.5 million from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak does not inspire confidence. (NSTP file pic)

Shafee Abdullah, in a statement on Saturday, had admitted to receiving RM9.5 million from Najib but said the payment formed part of more than RM20 million in fees owed to him for legal services performed for Umno and Barisan Nasional.

The RM9.5 million, Shafee had said, was for legal services fees for 46 election petition files in 2004 and 2006.

Shafee had denied that the payment was over his involvement in prosecuting PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s second sodomy case appeal.

Shafee was responding to allegations by Anwar that Shafee had received payments of RM9.5 million in two tranches of RM4.3 million and RM5.2 million in 2013 and 2014, respectively, from Najib’s personal account.

Shafee had also said that he had worked on the prosecution team for Anwar’s Sodomy 2 appeal case virtually on a pro bono basis. © New Straits Times Pres