TV PAKATAN RAKYAT

Rohaizat ex law partner


Anwar Ibrahim


pak samad


Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Rohaizat Othman's former legal firm partner, Yusri Isahak, today stressed that he gained no reward in revealing the goings-on in the firm. Yusri, 39, said he held a press conference in Bukit Mertajam on Thursday solely to clear his name which had been tarnished following allegations by certain individuals that he had misappropriated or misused the firm's money. "My intention was not to bring down Rohaizat who is contesting in the Permatang Pasir by-election, but he was equally responsible for the firm's financial matters," he told a press conference at the Grand Seasons Hotel here.

Yusri said he was treated as the sacrificial lamb in the issue of land purchase by Koperasi Pekebun Getah Negeri Pulau Pinang (KPGNPP) in 2002 and the revocation of Rohaizat's civil lawyer's licence. Yusri, who was Rohaizat's law partner for five years from 1999, said any dealings of the firm were with Rohaizat's approval. Yusri is now a businessman and no longer a legal practitioner as he has not renewed his practising certificate since 2004. He regretted that his statement, which was meant to defend himself, was used as political capital by irresponsible quarters to malign the BN candidate for the Permatang Pasir by-election.

Yusri, who has known Rohaizat since 1989 when both were studying at the same university, said he did not want any baseless accusation to be made against Rohaizat by irresponsible parties to serve their own political interest. He said his previous media statements on the issue were not made on the instigation of any individual or political party, and hoped that the public understood the real situation.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that the State Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP) presidency will be given to PAS if Mohd Salleh Man wins the Permatang Pasir by-election. Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the MP for Permatang Pauh, said he had consulted Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on the matter before making the decision. Usually, the post was held by the ruling party in the state, he told reporters, adding that it was currently held by Permatang Berangan assemblyman Shabudin Yahya but his term would expire in two months. "We will propose Mohd Salleh as MAIPP president to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after Shabudin's term expires," he said.

The by-election is being held following the death of the incumbent assemblyman Datuk Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman from PAS on July 31. The by-election on Tuesday will see a straight fight between Penang PAS commissioner Mohd Salleh, 52, and Permatang Pauh Umno division secretary Rohaizat Othman, 38. Meanwhile, on developments involving Lunas assemblyman Mohd Radzhi Salleh, the PKR de facto leader denied rumours that more Kedah assemblyman would be following Radzhi's footsteps. He said it was not surprising that Radzhi had quit the party, citing his loss of confidence in the PKR leadership, as the latter had been facing a lot of problems and was under pressure lately. "Although he is trying to convince his fellow assemblymen to quit the party, I am confident that would not happen," he said. Anwar said he had received many complaints lately about Radzhi's disciplinary problems, mismanagement of claims and marital problems.