The two lawyers are Asiah Abd Jalil and Nurul Hafidzah Hassan. They informed the Kuala Lumpur sessions court of their decision last night, Kosmo reported.

Yesterday, three lawyers, including her lead counsel, Nur’Aminahtul Mardiah Nor, withdrew from the case after finding out that two other defence lawyers, Farhan Maaruf and Nur Ellena Razif, had submitted a notice of withdrawal.

Sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi informed Siti Bainun that the court received the notice from the lawyers last night.

“I received the notice of withdrawal at 9pm last night. I’m giving you time to appoint a new lawyer as soon as possible,” he was quoted as saying.

Izralizam also asked Siti Bainun to appoint lawyers who are more responsible to handle her case.

“Even if it is just one lawyer, that is fine, when there are too many firms involved and withdrawals like this happen, it is not beneficial to you. When one person withdraws, the whole team will follow suit.

“Any person who is capable and is able to handle your case is enough, (so) appoint them.”

Siti Bainun’s defence team had previously comprised lawyers from five different firms.

Siti Bainun, 30, had pleaded not guilty to the charges of neglecting and abusing Bella, a 13-year-old girl with Down Syndrome, at an apartment in Wangsa Maju between February and June 2021.

The trial will continue on Jan 26.