Karpal: There’s nothing between the lines

The lawyer dismisses speculation of a rift in the defence team representing three PKR leaders with regard to the Bersih 3.0 rally.

KUALA LUMPUR: There is nothing to read between the lines regarding the absence of former solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden at the Kuala Lumpur Session’s Court last Monday during the case against PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim and five others related to the Bersih 3.0 gathering, said Karpal Singh.

Dispelling speculations of a rift in the legal team, he said Mohd Yusof, who was acting for the third accused Rembau PKR chief Bardul Hisham Sharin, was still part of the defence team.

“Whether he acts for Anwar or the others, it does not make any diffrence since this case is a joint trial,” he added.

Karpal told FMT that it was part of the defence strategy and Anwar had been briefed on the matter.

“With this arrangement, Mohd Yusof has more oppurtunity to cross-examine the witnesses,” he added.

Asked why an application to refer a point of law to the High Court was only filed on behalf of Anwar and not a collective application, Karpal explained that the application was made at the eleventh hour and there was no time to consult other counsels in making similar applications.

He said lawyer CV Prabhakaran, acting for PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, and Mohd Yusof acting for Badrul would be making their respective appplications before Sept 13.

Last Monday, the Sessions Court set Sept 13 to hear the prosecution’s objections against Karpal’s application to refer a point of law to the High Court in relation to the three charges against Anwar.

Anwar, Azmin and Badrul were jointly charged with other Bersih 3.0 supporters still at large, with inciting Tangam Raju, Rajesh Kumar Gejinder and Farhan Ibrahim to violate the magistrate’s court order issued on April 26.

Meanwhile, lawyer Sankara Nair said it was a defence strategy that Mohd Yusof and him represented Badrul.

“Anwar and Azmin are represented by very senior lawyers and hence it was decided that Yusof, being a senior lawyer, and I lend our services to Badrul to add balance,” he clarified.

“This was a strategic decision and was done amicably and there was mutual consensus between all counsels and clients,” added the senior lawyer.