Fiercely passionate about his work, kind and warm around his company - Christopher Fernando will forever be remembered as a great lawyer and friend.

The maverick lawyer of Filipino origin, passed away on Sunday after suffering a heart attack days earlier.

Fernando, 66, whose Muslim name is Aris Rizal Fernando Abdullah, underwent a triple by-pass surgery at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur but his condition worsened on Friday.

He leaves behind widow Maria Kamaruddin, his daughters, Marissa and Rina and two grandchildren.

Born in Yan, Kedah, Fernando joined the legal and judicial service as a magistrate in Batu Gajah, Perak, in 1973 following his admission to Lincoln's Inn.

He was also formerly with the Attorney-General's Chambers.

He was Sessions Court president in Butterworth and Seremban before going into private practice in Seremban with Marissa.

He shot to prominence as former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leading counsel in both the latter’s corruption and sodomy charges in 1998.

The spotlight also fell on Fernando when he filed a contempt of court motion against judge Augustine Paul for allegedly uttering disparaging remarks about him during the corruption trial in April 1999.

In his affidavit, Fernando said Paul made the following remarks in his absence: “If the way of speaking is like an animal, we can’t tolerate it. We should shoot him. He has to change.”

The prominent criminal lawyer handled many corruption and public servant dismissal cases after the Anwar trials.

N Sankara, lawyer and close friend

Chris was kind and charitable. A man of principle and stood firm to his convictions. In court he was always in his element and aptly described by the press as a ‘pit bull’ when it came to cross examinations and pressing forth his arguments before very difficult judges.

As a fellow counsel he was always a pleasure to work with. I am sure the entire Anwar Ibrahim team and Anwar will miss him dearly.

May his good soul rest in eternal peace.

Pawancheek Merican, lawyer and close friend

Rizal Fernando is regarded as one of the leading criminal lawyers in the country. His incisive cross examination is legendary and the public was able to see him in action during the Anwar Ibrahim trials.

Rizal has a friendly disposition and mixes easily with young lawyers who often appoint him as leading counsel. His sudden death is a tragic loss to the legal fraternity.

Zainur Zakaria, lawyer and close friend

I got to know the late Chris when we were in the defence team for Anwar Ibrahim. I found him to be a true friend in time of need. A courageous lawyer willing to put justice above self.

Karpal Singh, lawyer and close friend

It is a great loss to the legal fraternity. He was a good lawyer and a good friend. He was so young. Particularly in the Anwar Ibrahim trials, he excelled there as the lead counsel. He made a mark in that trial.

I’ve known him back in the 1970s in Penang when he was Sessions Court president. It’s very sad when he has contributed much more than what he did. He was a good cross examiner particularly in corruption cases.