Despite receiving brickbats over his
decision to join Anwar Ibrahim’s defence team, former solicitor-general
II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden defended his decision and said he had
expected criticism.
Saying many times that “he is a professional", he said it would be naive to say that he did not expect the backlash.
Yusof (left)
had served in the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), where he was
long-time head of prosecution, retiring as the third most senior
official earlier this year.
During this time, he had led the prosecution team in the Sodomy II trial against Anwar, who was eventually acquitted.
This was also Yusof's final case for the AGC, although he had been quick to recommend an appeal against the sodomy verdict.
“Yes, my family and I had expected this coming (in my decision to defend Anwar on the Bersih 3.0 charge). It would be wrong or naive of me not to expect it.
“However, I am a professional (whether) working in the AGC or as a lawyer. I received a call from a person asking me whether I would like to join Anwar’s defence team. I said 'why not?', as this (the Peaceful Assembly Act) is a new law. And then Anwar called me at 10pm on Monday.
“So
that was that and as a professional I attended the court session
(yesterday) and did what was required with Karpal Singh and the rest of
the co-counsel,” he told Malaysiakini.
The move had received flak on some pro-Umno blogs.
Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan had tweeted: 'mpkotabelud @movebabymove: SODOMY II PROSECUTOR NOW IN ANWAR’S LEGAL TEAM. GOD IS GREAT! Yup, my neighbour said now he knew why Anwar was acquitted.'
Yusof said he had expected the adverse comments but “would do the talking in court”.
Asked whether he had felt awkward at all about being on the defence team, given his involvement in the Sodomy II trial since 2008, Yusof said there was nothing different,
He noted that he had been on the bench, serving as a magistrate and Sessions Court judge for nine years, and that he loves being on the ground with prosecutors and lawyers.
“It is not awkward at all for me as I like to be on the floor (whether as) a prosecutor or a lawyer,” he said.
'No intention to join PAS'
As to rumours and reports that he is scheduled to join PAS next month, Yusof maintained what he said yesterday - that he does not have any political affiliation.
“There
is no truth (in talk that) I will join a political party or PAS next
month, as I am apolitical and I do not have any political affiliation.
“As I said I am a professional and will do the talking in court."
Although rumours persist about his acrimonous relationship with Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail (right), Yusof insists that the two are “good friends”.
He said there may be times when there are differences in opinion, but they are friends. He explained that he also has good rapport with those in the AGC and with lawyers.
Saying many times that “he is a professional", he said it would be naive to say that he did not expect the backlash.
Yusof (left)
had served in the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), where he was
long-time head of prosecution, retiring as the third most senior
official earlier this year.During this time, he had led the prosecution team in the Sodomy II trial against Anwar, who was eventually acquitted.
This was also Yusof's final case for the AGC, although he had been quick to recommend an appeal against the sodomy verdict.
“Yes, my family and I had expected this coming (in my decision to defend Anwar on the Bersih 3.0 charge). It would be wrong or naive of me not to expect it.
“However, I am a professional (whether) working in the AGC or as a lawyer. I received a call from a person asking me whether I would like to join Anwar’s defence team. I said 'why not?', as this (the Peaceful Assembly Act) is a new law. And then Anwar called me at 10pm on Monday.
“So
that was that and as a professional I attended the court session
(yesterday) and did what was required with Karpal Singh and the rest of
the co-counsel,” he told Malaysiakini.The move had received flak on some pro-Umno blogs.
Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan had tweeted: 'mpkotabelud @movebabymove: SODOMY II PROSECUTOR NOW IN ANWAR’S LEGAL TEAM. GOD IS GREAT! Yup, my neighbour said now he knew why Anwar was acquitted.'
Yusof said he had expected the adverse comments but “would do the talking in court”.
Asked whether he had felt awkward at all about being on the defence team, given his involvement in the Sodomy II trial since 2008, Yusof said there was nothing different,
He noted that he had been on the bench, serving as a magistrate and Sessions Court judge for nine years, and that he loves being on the ground with prosecutors and lawyers.
“It is not awkward at all for me as I like to be on the floor (whether as) a prosecutor or a lawyer,” he said.
'No intention to join PAS'
As to rumours and reports that he is scheduled to join PAS next month, Yusof maintained what he said yesterday - that he does not have any political affiliation.
“There
is no truth (in talk that) I will join a political party or PAS next
month, as I am apolitical and I do not have any political affiliation.“As I said I am a professional and will do the talking in court."
Although rumours persist about his acrimonous relationship with Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail (right), Yusof insists that the two are “good friends”.
He said there may be times when there are differences in opinion, but they are friends. He explained that he also has good rapport with those in the AGC and with lawyers.
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