LAWYER Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik is perhaps one of the most sought-after legal counsels in recent times. His capabilities transcend both the social and political realms so to speak.
Thanks to Hisyam’s brilliance as the lead counsel in Sam Ke Ting’s final appeal for reckless driving that killed eight teenagers on basikal lajak (modified bicycles) in 2017, the clerk who has been ‘going in and out of courts and jail’ was eventually freed on April 11.
In Sam’s appeal, Hisyam had argued that there was duplicity in her client’s charge. The defence submitted that the conviction by the High Court was “unsustainable” as the charge was defective, duplicated and without a prima facie case.
In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel chaired by Justice Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail allowed Sam’s appeal on grounds that the charge was defective. “In this case, the charge was incorrect, it was defective. The conviction was also incorrect. On these grounds alone, the appeal is allowed,” she ruled when acquitting Sam.
Fast forward a month later, Hisyam will next lead a team of lawyers to represent Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali in her appeal in the abuse case of Down Syndrome teenager known as Bella.
High Court judge Justice Ahmad Bache was informed of the matter by lawyer Nur ‘Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor during case management of the appeal here on Monday (May 8).
The defence also informed the court that it has filed a certificate of urgency to expedite the hearing of the appeal against the Sessions Court’s decision that rejected Siti Bainun’s stay application.
The certificate of urgency was filed together with the appeal in light of Siti Bainun’s health conditions. The court then fixed May 18 to hear the matter.
Indeed, veteran journalist and blogger Datuk A. Kadir Jasin had in a recent Facebook post described how three politicians had similarly solicited Hisyam’s legal services, namely, incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the latest being former premier and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
While Najib who is also the Pekan MP had been investigated, tried, found guilty and imprisoned as well as fined in his SRC International case, Hisyam also defended UMNO president Zahid in his criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering trial involving his Akal Budi Foundation.
“Now Muhyiddin and the court cluster of Bersatu join Najib, Zahid and their lackeys in court. Even DAP may have cluster, too,” penned Kadir in his post entitled “To Hisyam They Depend”.
“The ultimate irony is when Muhyiddin appointed Hisyam Teh Poh Teik as the head of his defence team in his CBT and money laundering case related to the Jana Wibawa contract. Looks like they’re all dependent on the same lawyer.” – May 8, 2023
