I act according to my clients’ instructions, says Ramkarpal

PETALING JAYA: Lawyer Ramkarpal Singh, whose clients are linked to two damning statutory declarations (SD) made against prominent Malaysian political figures, has defended his different reactions to the SDs.

“My clients instructed me,” said Ramkarpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, when contacted.

He is representing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the PKR president’s latest sexual allegations case as well as the family of slain Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The SDs in question referred to the recent one made by Anwar’s former research officer Muhammad Yusoff Rawther and the explosive one by convicted killer and former commando Azilah Hadri.

In his SD made on Nov 19, Yusoff made startling sexual harassment allegations against Anwar.

In Azilah’s SD, which was filed on Oct 17 as a bid to apply to the Federal Court to review his 2009 conviction for the murder of Altantuya, he pointed the finger at former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the person giving the order to kill the Mongolian.

“On Yusoff’s SD, yes, I did (say a civil suit would be filed if indeed Yusoff made the SD) based on my client’s instructions, which was why I was able to say that it was baseless.

“I still take that stand.

“But in Azilah’s case, we do not know if his allegations (in his SD) are true or not, hence the reason I called for a thorough investigation into it,” he said.

Ramkarpal had also earlier said a letter of demand would be served on Yusoff to seek an explanation on the allegations levelled against Anwar and to verify if the SD was filed by him.

“We were notified by Yusoff’s lawyer Haniff (Khatri Abdulla) that he had received instructions to accept the service of the letter on behalf of Yusoff.

“We will, therefore, serve the said letter on Haniff in due course,” he said.

On Monday, Ramkarpal issued a statement saying that the SD revelations by Azilah must be investigated without fear or favour.

“The revelations by Azilah in his SD are indeed shocking and the family of Altantuya will apply to the Federal Court to hold a watching brief in the review application,” he said.

He further said he would also amend the civil suit by the family of Altantuya, which is ongoing in the Shah Alam High Court, to include the allegations contained in the SD and the findings of the police investigation as a result.

The police are investigating Yusoff’s allegations against Anwar and have, following the revelation of Azilah’s SD on Monday, said they will decide on further action after the SD has been verified.