ALTHOUGH they rejoice as even renowned defence counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik is unable to save the murderers of navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain from being sent to the gallows by the Court of Appeal, netizens somehow expressed surprise at the ability of the parents to fork out big money to hire a high-profiled lawyer in the case.
“The fact that they have Hisyam Teh Poh Teik in the defence team … 😲 The outstanding lawyer comes with high legal fees of course,” tweeted Brie (@xbrieej) on the X platform with reference to a short video clip by Astro Awani depicting the defence team for the six former National Defence University Malaysia (UPNM) students.
. “Whose child among the six of the accused is he defending?” asked
The fact that they have Hisyam Teh Poh Teik in the defense team… 😲 Lawyer hebat tu, comes with high legal fees of course. Anak siapa budak 6 orang ni? https://t.co/fiV2jE3I0a
— Brie (@xbrieej) July 23, 2024
In her post which has been viewed 1.1 million times at the time of writing, netizens are seemed second guessing at the ringgit and sen figure which “could be anything ranging from six to seven figures”.
From the online exchanges, one commenter revealed that it could be “the third accused” (Muhammad Najib Mohd Razi) who solicited the services of Hisyam Teh.
Given the wealth of the parents, some netizens wonder shouldn’t the parents have sent their children to private tertiary institutions instead of the public-run National Defence University Malaysia (UPNM).
On the same note, one netizen hoped that the police would accord ample protection to Zulfarhan’s family from any untoward “revenge” incident.
Over at the original post by Astro Awani, some netizens wondered if the accused should have been grateful with the 18-year jail sentence meted out by the High Court rather than to have the case extended to the appellant court and having their punishment overturned to death sentence.
Whatever the case is, they hope the perpetrators would accept “what they deserve with remorse”. – July 24, 2024
Main image credit: Astro Awani
