Hisyam’s appointment was informed to Justice Ahmad Bache by lawyer Aminahtul Mardiah Nor at a case management this morning.

The judge has fixed May 18 to hear Siti Bainun’s application for bail pending the disposal of the appeal.

This came after Aminahtul informed the court the defence had filed a certificate of urgency to expedite the bail hearing.

The other lawyers representing Siti Bainun in the appeal are Farhan Maaruf and Ahmad Faiz Munawar.

Siti Bainun filed her appeal shortly after sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi found her guilty of neglecting and abusing a teenager known as Bella. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

The sessions court also denied her bail pending appeal and ordered her to serve her sentence immediately.

In her affidavit seeking bail, Siti Bainun said she suffers from health problems, including asthma.

She also said her appeal will be rendered nugatory if the court refuses to grant her bail.

Deputy public prosecutor Zilfinaz Abbas informed the court that prosecutors needed time to respond to the application.

The court granted the prosecution 10 days to do so.