PETALING JAYA (Dec 19): Senior lawyer and former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Sulaiman Abdullah passed away Monday evening.

The news was confirmed by his son Huzir Sulaiman, who was present at his bedside.

Sulaiman, 77, had previously represented Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his abuse of power and sodomy cases.

He had also appeared in the Perak constitutional crisis case of Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin vs Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Sulaiman was supposed to lead the prosecution of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the SRC International case. However, following his ill-health, Datuk V Sithambaram took over in leading the prosecution.

In the media statement over Sulaiman's appointment, then attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas wrote that Sulaiman was one of the country’s leading barristers, having substantial experience in criminal law, including white collar crime.

"His eloquence is unmatched and his intellect is second to none. Datuk Sulaiman has impeccable integrity and is a principled lawyer," Tommy wrote.

Sulaiman was Malaysian Bar president from 2000 to 2001.

In his more recent cases, he represented Tan Sri Jamaludin Jarjis’s wife Puan Sri Kalsom Ismail in her family matrimonial asset or faraid dispute at the shariah court.

Huzir wrote in a text message that despite his father’s many health challenges, particularly in the last decade, his sharp mind and dry wit remained.

“The funeral rites will take place on Tuesday December, 19, in accordance with Islamic practice, at the Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Aziz, Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya, at 1.10pm, following zohor prayers.

“I will also organise an online memorial service in a few weeks, open to all. Should the legal community also wish to organise a memorial, I would welcome that,” he added.