KUALA LUMPUR – Prominent lawyer Datuk Sulaiman Abdullah died yesterday evening. He was 77.
His son, actor and playwright Huzir Sulaiman, announced his father’s passing on social media channels as well as WhatsApp group chats.
Most recently, Sulaiman was the lead prosecutor in former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s RM42-million SRC International corruption case.
In the announcement, Huzir said Sulaiman had passed away peacefully on the evening of December 18, 2023. Sulaiman leaves behind a son and daughter-in-law, and several other relatives, including brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as nephews and nieces.
Sulaiman’s wife, former Suhakam commissioner and lawyer, Mehrun Siraj, had passed away in 2021.
Huzir said he was present during Sulaiman’s passing together with his wife Claire Wong, and Sulaiman’s personal assistant and caregiver Siti Nur Abdullah, apart from friends and relatives.
“Despite my father’s many health challenges, particularly in the last decade, his sharp mind and dry wit remained unaffected,” Huzir said.
“He continued to represent clients and serve on various committees and advisory panels. May Allah place my father among the ranks of the Righteous.”
Huzir said the funeral rites for Sulaiman will take place today at Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Aziz, Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya, at 1.10pm, following Zohor prayers.
An online memorial service, open to all, will also be organised in a few weeks, Huzir said, adding that he welcomed the legal community to organise a memorial.
Legal legacy
Sulaiman, a luminary who left an indelible mark on the Malaysian legal landscape, had a legacy of nearly five decades in the field.
Born on July 8, 1946 and raised in Penang, Sulaiman began his educational journey at SK Wellesley, SK Francis Light, and the prestigious Penang Free School. His intellectual pursuits led him to the University of Singapore (now the National University of Singapore), where he earned his law degree in 1969.
A distinguished scholar, Sulaiman obtained a master’s in law from the University of London in 1979. His commitment to scholarship extended to the realm of Islamic law, as evidenced by his diploma in shariah law and practice from the International Islamic University Malaysia in 1992.
Throughout his illustrious career, Sulaiman held various pivotal roles within the legal community. He served as the Malaysian Bar secretary from 1993 to 1995 and ascended to the presidency of the Bar from 2000 to 2001.
His enduring commitment to the legal fraternity was reflected in his long-standing membership in the Bar Council, where he played a vital role since 1989.
Sulaiman’s name is synonymous with his pivotal role in the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis, serving as the lead counsel for former menteri besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin during a tumultuous period for the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government.
In recent years, Sulaiman represented state and federal territories’ Islamic bodies in high-profile cases, showcasing a keen interest in matters ranging from religious identity to constitutional challenges.
Notable cases included Lina Joy’s quest to amend her identity card, the Catholic Church’s legal battle over the use of the term “Allah,” and constitutional challenges against shariah state laws. – December 19, 2023