KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has conveyed his deepest condolences to the family of former Malaysian Bar Council president Datuk Sulaiman Abdullah who died yesterday.
In a Facebook post, he described the late Sulaiman not only as a lawyer, but a close friend who stood by him and his family during "dark and challenging times".
"I received the very sad news of Sulaiman's passing yesterday. He was not only a lawyer, but also a close friend who stood by me and my family during dark and challenging times in the past.
"His strong commitment towards the principles of justice and human rights is indisputable. I was deeply affected upon receiving the news while still in Tokyo for a work visit.
"I pray that his family is granted strength and may his sins be forgiven and his soul granted a special place by Allah's side," he said.
Sulaiman, who was Bar Council president from 2000 until 2001, died at the age of 77, yesterday. His passing was confirmed by his son Huzir Sulaiman through a brief media statement.
Sulaiman graduated in 1969 with a law degree from the University of Singapore and obtained a master's in law from the University of London.
Throughout his 50-year career, he also represented various individuals and organisations, including high-profile cases.
In 1998, Sulaiman also served as one of the lawyers representing Anwar in the cases involving allegations of abuse of power and sexual misconduct. However, he withdrew in 2009 due to health issues.
In 2018, he was appointed the lead prosecutor in former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's SRC International Sdn Bhd trial.
Sulaiman also served as the lead counsel for Datuk Nizar Jamaluddin, who sought to reclaim his position as the Perak chief minister during the Perak constitutional crisis in 2009.
