PERMATANG PASIR: The Barisan Nasional Permatang Pasir candidate today refused to comment on reports that he is a disbarred lawyer, except to say that an attempt by his rivals at character assassination.
Rohaizat Othman, who was disbarred after he being found guilty of misconduct for not returning RM161,000 of his client’s money, told a press conference here that there was no need to explain as the matter had been cleared by Penang Umno chief and party vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“I have been cleared. I am here and eligible to contest,” he told a press conference held while conducting a door to door campaign here.
Rohaizat, happy with Muhyiddin clearing him of charges. - Picture by Jack Ooi
Despite his claims, Rohaizat’s past misconduct has now put BN and Umno in a spot, as they are likely to be faced with defending a candidate labelled as tainted by the opposition for the rest of the campaign.
The controversy also throws up questions about the level of background checks conducted by BN’s campaign machinery.
Various explanations have been given by Umno and Barisan Nasional leaders about Rohaizat being struck from the rolls of the Malaysian Bar.
Zahid had claimed that Rohaizat was struck off after his partner took off with a client’s money. He said the client lodged a report and as a partner, Rohaizat was implicated.
“Legally, Rohaizat did no wrong but, morally, this will be used against him by the other party in the by-election,” Zahid had said.
The Bar Council, however, issued a statement noting that lawyers are not disbarred for the mistakes of partners.
BN and Umno appear to have been backed into a corner with the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) campaign expected to take full advantage of the controversy.
PR leaders have already demanded Rohaizat withdraw from contesting on moral grounds and “save the ruling coalition from further embarrassment”.
Rohaizat, however, said the constant harping on his past shows PAS and PR are running out of ideas and have resorted to character assassination, a statement backed by Deputy Prime Minister and Umno number two, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin.
Continuously dodging questions on the matter, Rohaizat said he would not let the controversy surrounding his nomination obstruct his urge to serve the Permatang Pasir voters, and that he would continue to campaign as usual.
“The voters here are not complaining. They’re not making any noise so it shows that they are not bothered by the issue,” he said, adding that he intends to develop his hometown.
MI
18/08/09
Rohaizat Othman, who was disbarred after he being found guilty of misconduct for not returning RM161,000 of his client’s money, told a press conference here that there was no need to explain as the matter had been cleared by Penang Umno chief and party vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“I have been cleared. I am here and eligible to contest,” he told a press conference held while conducting a door to door campaign here.
Rohaizat, happy with Muhyiddin clearing him of charges. - Picture by Jack Ooi
Despite his claims, Rohaizat’s past misconduct has now put BN and Umno in a spot, as they are likely to be faced with defending a candidate labelled as tainted by the opposition for the rest of the campaign.
The controversy also throws up questions about the level of background checks conducted by BN’s campaign machinery.
Various explanations have been given by Umno and Barisan Nasional leaders about Rohaizat being struck from the rolls of the Malaysian Bar.
Zahid had claimed that Rohaizat was struck off after his partner took off with a client’s money. He said the client lodged a report and as a partner, Rohaizat was implicated.
“Legally, Rohaizat did no wrong but, morally, this will be used against him by the other party in the by-election,” Zahid had said.
The Bar Council, however, issued a statement noting that lawyers are not disbarred for the mistakes of partners.
BN and Umno appear to have been backed into a corner with the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) campaign expected to take full advantage of the controversy.
PR leaders have already demanded Rohaizat withdraw from contesting on moral grounds and “save the ruling coalition from further embarrassment”.
Rohaizat, however, said the constant harping on his past shows PAS and PR are running out of ideas and have resorted to character assassination, a statement backed by Deputy Prime Minister and Umno number two, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin.
Continuously dodging questions on the matter, Rohaizat said he would not let the controversy surrounding his nomination obstruct his urge to serve the Permatang Pasir voters, and that he would continue to campaign as usual.
“The voters here are not complaining. They’re not making any noise so it shows that they are not bothered by the issue,” he said, adding that he intends to develop his hometown.
MI
18/08/09
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