Kota Kinabalu: A request by an accused that his reality TV cooking show finalist wife - who was charged together for the murder of their maid – to ditch her lawyer led to a war of words between their respective counsel with each saying the other had no brains.
The case of contractor Mohammad Ambree Yunos @ Unos, 40, and engineer Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Mohd Sulong, 33, who was also a former MasterChef Malaysia 2012 finalist, came up for mention before Senior Assistant Registrar Abdurrahman Abrar Jarni, who sat as a magistrate, Thursday.
The prosecution had applied for another mention date as instructed by the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office as they were still waiting for the post mortem report.
The court was then informed by Ambree’s counsel Ram Singh that he wanted to say something to the court regarding the position of Dato’ Sri Rakhbir Singh as counsel for Etiqah.
Ambree told the court that he wanted to suggest to his wife Etiqah not to use the service of Rakhbir Singh anymore and, instead, get a new lawyer.
“I suggest that my wife change her lawyer because prior to this both of us were using the same lawyer (Rakhbir). I have given so much information to this lawyer.
“My action is not influenced by anyone but I did on my own volition. (Furthermore) I have another case under Section 506 of the Penal Code,” he said.
Ambree said he had paid the deposit to engage Rakhbir as their counsel before he decided to drop Rakhbir and get Ram instead.
Rakhbir responded that any application by Ambree should have been submitted formally and not orally so that it can be responded appropriately.
“The rights and ethics to choose and appoint whoever she wants as her lawyer. We can respond during the application session,” said Rakhbir.
Rakhbir: Maybe you should shut up, you should shut up... I think you are making a frivolous application. Where is your brain?
Ram: My brain in my pocket. Want to see my brain?
Abdurrahman: Calm down both parties. Please. I will look at the report but I will not take it as...
Ram: Doesn’t matter Tuan. I think Tuan, I agree with you because we all have our brains, I don’t know where is his (Rakhbir) brain.
Rakhbir: Your brain is in your pocket, is it...
Ram: Put in record that my brain is in my pocket, no problem...
The husband and wife are accused of killing one Nur Afiyah Daeng Damin, between Dec 10 and 13 this year at a unit in Amber Tower, Lido Avenue, Jalan Lintas Lido, Penampang.
They were first produced in court on Dec 29, 2021 to the charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code and read together with 34 of the same Code, which carries the death sentence, on conviction.
The couple were ordered to be remanded further as the charge against them has no provision for bail.
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