PUTRAJAYA: There was more drama in court this morning as the Federal Court again rejected Datuk Seri Najib Razak's request for a postponement of his final appeal hearing involving the SRC International case.
Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat made it clear to the former prime minister's lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik that the court would not grant any postponement.
She then asked Hisyam if he was aware of the consequences if he did not proceed with the appeal.
The senior counsel replied that he knew but reiterated that he was not prepared to go on.
"You are aware you will be leaving your client unrepresented," Tengku Maimum told Hisyam as she called for a short recess before returning to make her decision on what happens next.
Hisyam had made the request for a postponement at the onset of today's hearing after the court was called into session at 9.55am.
"I want to start by tendering my sincere apology that I am unable to proceed with the appeal.
"It was an error of judgment on my part to have accepted the brief. However, I had then expected the court to grant an adjournment given the breadth and scope of this appeal.
"I would again ask for more time," he said, adding he hoped the court would forgive him for the error of judgment on his part for accepting the brief despite being unprepared for it.
However, Tengku Maimun who was clearly not pleased to hear the counsel repeating his request after the court had rejected it on Tuesday, said: "You are aware that we gave broad grounds for rejecting your earlier request.
"We reiterate those grounds for refusing. You still want to discharge yourself and leave your client unrepresented?"
Hisyam then responded by again tendering an apology and said he accepted everything the judge had said.
"It was an error of judgment on my part," he reiterated.
Tengku Maimun then refused Hisyam's application to discharge himself and said counsels could not just walk away leaving their clients unrepresented.
"You ought not to discharge yourself. You are capable and have many able assistants with you," she said but Hisyam stood his ground and said he could not proceed leading to Tengku Maimun calling for a short break.