Siti Bainun’s lead defence counsel, Nur’Aminahtul Mardiah Nor, told the court that she and her firm had decided to withdraw from the case after finding out that two other defence lawyers had submitted notice of withdrawal.

“We decided not to continue representing Siti Bainun because there was no instruction from her. And I cannot represent her without my team,” she told the court.

She said the defence team comprises lawyers from five different firms.

Sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi said the court received the notice of withdrawal from Farhan Maaruf and Nur Ellena Razif on Jan 13.

He asked Siti Bainun whether she knew that her lead counsel Nur’Aminahtul Mardiah would withdraw from representing her.

Siti Bainun said: “I was told that there were time issues, but I did not know that she would withdraw. So I need to discuss with them to assist me (in seeking legal assistance).”

Izralizam said it was inappropriate for lawyers to withdraw from a case at the last minute as it would cause problems for the client. If there were problems, the withdrawal notice should be filed sooner so that the client was informed and could engage new lawyers.

He allowed the postponement of today’s hearing to allow Siti Bainun to engage new lawyers or to proceed only with her two remaining lawyers, Nurul Hafizah Hassan and Asiah Abd Jalil.

Siti Bainun, 30, had pleaded not guilty to the charges of neglecting and abusing Bella, a 13-year-old girl with Down Syndrome, at an apartment in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021.