KUALA LUMPUR: The clock is ticking for Siti Bainun Ahd Razali who has been given until tomorrow to update the Sessions Court about the status of lawyers representing her.
This comes after her lead defence counsel Nur A'minahtul Mardiah Md Nor informed the court this morning that three out of five lawyers representing the accused had withdrawn themselves from the case at the eleventh hour.
Lawyers Mohammad Farhan Maaruf and Nur Ellena Mohamed Razif had informed the court of their withdrawal via letter on Jan 13, while Nur A'minahtul had only informed the court of her withdrawal this morning.
Siti Bainun, on Nov 24 last year, was ordered to enter her defence against two charges of neglecting and abusing a down syndrome victim, referred to as Bella, 13, to a point that she suffered physical and emotional injuries.
The offences were allegedly committed at a condominium in Wangsa Maju here, between Feb and June 2021.
The offences were framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and carried a jail sentence of up to 20 years or a fine of RM50,000 or both upon conviction.
The lawyers withdrew themselves from representing Siti Bainun in the case for reasons that the date fixed for this trial clashed with their other court cases.
This came as a shock to everyone in the court gallery as Siti Bainun was scheduled to enter her defence against two charges of neglecting and abusing Bella.
A'minahtul said she did not receive any instruction from the accused to continue representing her in the case.
"I was only informed regarding Farhan and Ellena's withdrawal around midnight last night.
"Siti Bainun and I discussed this matter when the court took a break earlier. We did not receive further instruction from Siti Bainun to represent her.
"The accused will seek other counsel to represent her, and I will be assisting her in the matter.
"Our stand is that we will not be representing Siti Bainun at this stage. I cannot continue representing her without my team," she said.
However, Sessions Court judge Izralizam Sanusi said lawyers Asiah Abd Jalil and Hafidzah Hassan would remain on the court's record as the Rumah Bonda founder counsel in the case.
"I am giving you (Siti Bainun) time until tomorrow to update the court on whether you will continue to be represented by the remaining lawyer, or seek legal assistance from National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK).
"We have fixed today to resume the trial. (In fact) the dates for this case have been set since December last year. It has been postponed a few times, and I've said numerous times to inform the court earlier of any issue.
"But, to also be fair to you, and your rights as stated in the law, I'm giving you time to decide the matter, and update the court by tomorrow. So today's proceeding is postponed.
"As for the other two lawyers, I received their letter sent earlier regarding the issues on fixed dates. But they still need to come and update the court on their status as the accused's lawyers," he said.
Earlier this morning, Siti Bainun told the court that she had no idea about her counsel withdrawing from representing her against two criminal charges.
"I do know that my counsel are having issues with the trial dates. However, I was not informed of their withdrawal before today.
"So far, I don't have a lawyer (to represent me). I'll try to reach YBGK for help, and will seek A'minahtul's assistance in this," she said from the dock today.