A Srimurugan said this right is provided under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution, the supreme law of the land.

“He has the choice of engaging a new counsel as long as the lawyer is able and willing to take the brief,” he told FMT.

Srimurugan said this was no ordinary appeal and the case had also attracted global attention because it involved a former prime minister who, for the first time in the country’s history, was facing criminal charges.

“The apex court could give his new lawyers a bit more time to prepare their case,” he added.

The lawyer said this in response to a new defence team that will appear for the Pekan MP.

In a letter to the Federal Court, his former lawyers from Shafee & Co informed the court that Najib had discharged them and that Zaid Ibrahim Suffian TH Liew & Partners were the new solicitors.

It is also learnt Najib’s legal team will attend a case management before a deputy registrar on Friday to seek further directions.

The SRC International final appeal had been scheduled to be heard before the Federal Court for 10 days from Aug 15 to 26. However, Najib’s new lawyers want the hearing postponed.

In 2020, Najib was convicted on seven charges of power abuse, criminal breach of trust and money laundering in relation to RM42 million belonging to SRC International that was deposited into his bank accounts.

The court sentenced him to 12 years in jail and a RM210 million fine. He is out on bail pending his Federal Court hearing.