Two of Najib’s lawyers withdraw themselves

KUALA LUMPUR: Two lawyers of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak have withdrawn themselves from representing him.

Datuk Harpal Singh Drewal confirmed the matter when contacted after leaving the former prime minister’s residence at Langgak Duta, Taman Duta here at 10.40 pm.

He identified the other lawyer as M. Athimulan.

Harpal said they took the step following Najib’s decision to engage former solicitor-general II, Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden and six other lawyers from the latter’s legal team.

“We were not dismissed; we withdrew after tonight’s discussion,” he said.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) ordered Najib to present himself at its headquarters in Putrajaya on Tuesday to assist investigations into a case involving SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Its deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki was reported to have handed a notice to Najib requiring his presence at MACC’s headquarters at 10am for his statement to be taken.

He said only Najib had been summoned thus far. MACC has not made any decision to call other individuals.

SRC International is a subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), and placed under the Finance Ministry in 2012.

On Friday, a team of MACC officers came to Najib’s residence in Taman Duta here to hand over the notice to the Pekan Member of Parliament.

A survey by Bernama found about 50 media practitioners waiting in the vicinity of Najib’s home for further developments. Members of the public also came to pose at the entrance of the pathway to the residence which is under police guard.

About 15 students of Pusat Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah from Kampung Datuk Keramat here were seen entering the compound at 10.50 pm. Bernama