Bar says BN candidate disbarred for failing to return client’s money

KUALA LUMPUR— The Bar Council has confirmed that Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidate for the Permatang Pasir by-election, Rohaizat Othman, was found guilty of misconduct last year and struck off the rolls.

In a statement today, Bar Council secretary George Varughese said the Advocates and Solicitors Displinary Board disbarred Rohaizat on March 7, 2008.

“The Disciplinary Board’s decision arose from an investigation into the complaint lodged against Rohaizat Othman by the purchaser of a piece of real property.

“According to the complaint, Rohaizat Othman failed to refund almost RM 161,000 to the complainant after the transaction was aborted,” said Varughese.

He said Rohaizat had also appealed to the High Court against the decision of the disciplinary board. The appeal was dismissed by the High Court last Wednesday.

Varughese added that the finding of misconduct was personal to Rohaizat as the disciplinary board would not hold a lawyer liable for the actions of his partners.

The Bar Council’s statement suggests that BN leaders may have been misinformed about his status.

Penang Umno chief Datuk Zahid Hamidi had claimed yesterday that it was Rohaizat’s partner who had taken off with the client’s money.

Deputy Umno president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also accused the opposition of character assassination and claimed Rohaizat was not “legally wrong.”

But the Bar Council has now made it clear that Rohaizat was personally found guilty of misconduct.

The revelation will definitely provide fodder for Pakatan Rakyat’s campaign as they take on a resurgent Umno in the by-election. (TMI)