PETALING JAYA: Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla (pic) has denied that he is acting on the behest of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad by representing the man accusing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of sexual misdeeds.
He said that he is acting for Yusoff Rawther as he is a practising lawyer and as such can not refuse to take a brief from any client on any matters "except in an exceptional situation if we are conflicted or may be embarrassed".
"This is not the situation in Yusoff's matter for it to professionally disqualify me," he said in a statement Tuesday (Dec 10).
He added that his act of appearing openly for Yusoff shows that Dr Mahathir is not behind any alleged plot.
"Otherwise, it is a big giveaway for me to be in the forefront, is it not," he added.
"To me, the capabilities of certain sections of our society to come up with fanciful conspiracy theories do at times relegate Hollywood, Bollywood and Kollywood to second, third and fourth spots in the rankings," Haniff said.
Muhammed Yusoff, a former research assistant to Anwar and the grandson of the late former Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president SM Mohamed Idris, lodged a report at the Sentul police headquarters over the case.
He also claimed in the report that he feared for his safety from certain parties.
On Wednesday (Dec 4), Muhammed Yusoff made a sworn statement that he was allegedly sexually assaulted by the PKR president on Oct 2 last year, however, the matter was denied by Anwar, who claimed he was campaigning in the Port Dickson by-election on that day.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
