KUALA LUMPUR: A High Court judge has recused himself from hearing an application from Jonathan Laidlaw, a Queen's Counsel (QC) from the United Kingdom, to represent Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the latter’s final appeal in the case involving the misappropriation of RM42mil belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

       Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, in his brief decision, said he decided to recuse himself from hearing the application as one of his immediate family members was a very active politician and a divisional leader in the same political party as Najib, who is the appellant.

       Justice Wan Ahmad Farid, who himself was once an Umno politician, said although he had resigned from the political party, his stand is that the public perception of the independence of the judiciary should not be put in doubt.

       "It is public knowledge that before being appointed to the bench, I was an active politician and at one time, a member of the administration and the Dewan Negara.

       "I must add that, after taking my oath as a member of the judiciary, my only sacred duty is to preserve, protect and defend the Federal Constitution without fear or favour,” said the judge. - Bernama

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