KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 — Prominent lawyer Datuk Sulaiman Abdullah, who was involved in several high-profile cases, passed away at the age of 77 yesterday.
His son, Huzir, who confirmed the matter via a Whatsapp message, said despite his father’s many health challenges, particularly in the last decade, his sharp mind and dry wit remained unaffected.
“He continued to represent clients and serve on various committees and advisory panels. May Allah place my father among the ranks of the righteous.
“The funeral rites will take place today (Tuesday) at the Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Aziz, Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya, at 1.10pm, following Zohor prayers,” he said.
In 2018, Sulaiman was appointed as lead prosecutor in Najib’s SRC International Sdn Bhd trial.
Huzir said he will organise an online memorial service in a few weeks, which will be open to all.
“Should the legal community also wish to organise a memorial, I would welcome that,” he said.
The veteran lawyer, who was Malaysian Bar president from 2000 to 2001, was one of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s lawyers in the Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s president’s court cases.
In his more recent cases, Sulaiman represented former Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Tan Sri Jamaludin Jarjis’s widow, Puan Sri Kalsom Ismail, in her family matrimonial asset or faraid dispute at the Syariah court.
Apart from that, he also represented Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin who challenged the legitimacy of Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir’s appointment as Perak Menteri Besar in the Perak constitutional crisis case in 2009.
Meanwhile, Anwar described Sulaiman as a firm believer in the principles of justice and human rights.
In a post on X, the prime minister acknowledged that Sulaiman was not only a lawyer to him, but also a close friend who was with him and his family during his dark and turbulent years.
Anwar said Sulaiman’s thoughts and conscience, which are firm on the principles of justice and human rights, cannot be denied by anyone.
“I am very much impacted because when I received the news I was still in Tokyo, Japan on a working visit, praying for his family to be patient and for the late Sulaiman to be forgiven of all his sins and given a special place by Allah,” he said.
Anwar has been in Tokyo since December 15 to attend the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit, in addition to the Asian Zero Emission Community Summit.
— Bernama
