GEORGE TOWN: R.S.N. Rayer has withdrawn from representing one of the accused charged with selling fake birth certificates and MyKad to foreigners.
The Jelutong MP made the request at the Sessions Court today before judge Norsalha Hamzah.
Rayer said due to his position as a member of parliament, many quarters including politicians questioned his decision to represent the person charged in the case.
He said his previous decision to represent businessman Datuk Lai Chin Wah, 56, did not cause any conflict of interest as the country was practising separation of powers, hence there were no laws that prevented him from becoming Lai’s defense counsel.
“Datuk Lai is one of the accused who is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“I would like to stress that despite having no fear for myself from the personal threats I received, I do not want my action to represent the accused to be used by irresponsible parties to make baseless accusations towards DAP, Pakatan Harapan or leaders from DAP and Pakatan Harapan.
“After giving it some deep thought, I have decided to withdraw from representing Datuk Lai from all cases from today. I will make similar applications at the other courts as well,” he told the court today.
Deputy Public Prosecutors led by state prosecution director Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim did not object to Rayer’s request. Norsalha allowed the withdrawal.
Lawyer R. Sivahnanthan appeared at the court to represent Lai from today onwards.
Lai faces five charges — three under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007 and two under the Penal Code.
He was charged in connection with the issuance and sale of MyKad to foreigners together with five others.
Police had arrested 20 people, aged between 32 and 70, on Aug 19, including the state National Registration Department assistant director Mohd Faizul Arifin, 34, in a special operation.
Others nabbed were 17 locals, two Chinese nationals and an Indian citizen.
They acted as agents, middlemen, sponsors and holders of the fake birth certificates, MyKad and passports.
Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed had said investigations revealed that the syndicate’s agents would look for foreigners seeking citizenships, and believed they were paid between RM100,000 and RM600,000.
They were remanded for 28 days for investigation under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya had said that it would investigate once they received information on the matter.