AG: "DPP changed because he played badminton with Judge'
Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail said today he had to change the prosecution team in the murder trial of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu in the interest of justice because Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Salehuddin Saidin, who was leading the prosecution team, had been seen playing badminton with trial judge Mohd Zaki Md Yasin.
The explanation is in a Bernama story, bylined former Editor-in-Chief Azman Ujang.
On the other hand, three days before the trial was scheduled to start on June 4, counsel Zulkifli Noordin was quoted in the International Herald Tribune June 1 as saying that: "We are interested to know whether there is any political link to the murder. Why were all the people involved linked to No. 2?"
June 4, he discharged himself from defending first accused, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, claiming that "There were serious attempts by third parties to interfere with the defence that I proposed." He, however, didn't elaborate.
Justice must be done and justice must be seen to be done?
Comments
Dear Jeff
This has the real makings of a thriller. The case has all the trappings of influence, power, sex and now even sports -- or shall I say in badminton parlance: "love-set".
But, to be fair, we need to know if it was a badminton party where many players took part... or was it an exclusive foursome? What if the judiciary were to have a bowling or badminton tournament? Does it mean lawyers and DPP cannot take part in a legit pastime. Maybe BAM should comment, ha ha!
So, another way to look at it is Playing badminton can be hazardous to your career... :)
Posted by: Joe F![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 6, 2007 11:12 PM
Changing the DPP sounds logical from what the AG said. For the same reason the judge too must be replaced because, if I am not mistaken, judges' code of conduct do not allow such conduct such as in this case,The ball is in the court of CJ.
KSN
Posted by: ksn![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 7, 2007 07:06 AM
what a nonsense reason given by AG. Sound like uneducated. How bout new DPP which wife is distant relative to judge??
Umm...what a shame if published oversea.
Posted by: onlimalaysiaboleh![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 7, 2007 08:34 AM
It is good that the A-G stopped a DPP who had been seen playing badminton with the judge from continueing with the case.
I still recall the big shock waves that arose from pictures published on the Net many years ago showing a high profile lawyer and his family on holiday in NZ with a high-profile judge who was hearing a high-profile case the high-profile lawyer was handling.
Justice MUST be seen to be done, and any sort of behaviour which can impinge upon the credibility of the judge concerned, even if unproven, must be eliminated.
Hence, taking A-G Gani's words at face value, I must say kudoes to him!
Posted by: Leithaisor![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 7, 2007 10:43 AM
KSN,
You said, "...The ball is in the court of CJ."
Don't you mean, the shuttlecock is in the court of CJ? :-)
Posted by: Ctrl-Alt-Del![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 7, 2007 03:11 PM