AUSTRALIAN model Michelle Leslie met members of her new Indonesian legal team behind bars in Bali today as a her family took a parting shot at a lawyer she has dumped.

The visit by counsel Basuki Prawirodipuro and Rizal Akbar Maya Poetra came less than 24 hours after a surprise change of legal representation for the 24-year-old Adelaide-born woman, who could face 15 years in jail if she is charged and convicted of possessing two tablets of ecstasy.

Former defence lawyer Mohammad Rifan was taken off the case yesterday after reporters acquired what is purported to be a police interrogation transcript that claims Ms Leslie admitted being hooked on the party drug.

Mr Rifan said he resigned after the Leslie family ordered him to do things outside of Indonesian law, drawing a terse rebuke from Ms Leslie's family who made it clear today that he was dismissed by the model who has denied drug use.

Mr Rifan has used claims of addiction before in drug cases to get clients shorter jail sentences.

In Sydney, family spokesman Sean Mulcahy said Mr Rifan was fired and did not quit.

"The fact is that early yesterday Mr Rifan's instructions were withdrawn by Miss Leslie both verbally and in written form. He did not resign," Mr Mulcahy said.

"We understand that Mr Rifan has reportedly made allegations regarding our professional conduct in handling Miss Leslie's case. We refute absolutely any such contention."

Ms Leslie's Sydney lawyer Ross Hill was on hand for today's conference with her new Indonesian legal representatives at Bali police headquarters where she is held in a tiny, dingy cell. Ms Leslie was kept away from the assembled media.

Mr Basuki, from the east Java city of Surabaya, said a total of five lawyers from various parts of Indonesia were on working on Ms Leslie's case.

The new team has previously represented foreigners, including some Australians, and was well-versed in defending drug cases, he said.

"We must do our best," Mr Basuki said. "We are specialised in criminal drug cases.

"We are optimistic. I hope everything will be okay for Michelle.

"She asked me to do our best according to the law."

Mr Basuki expected police would question her for a second time on Monday when all five lawyers would be present.

He hoped police would complete their investigation soon, possibly by Wednesday.

Ms Leslie was arrested on August 20 outside a Bali dance party by police who alleged they found two tablets of ecstasy in her handbag.

She quickly hired Mr Rifan, who is regarded as one of Bali's top advocates.

But the relationship ended abruptly yesterday, a day after the media acquired copies of the transcript in which Ms Leslie also allegedly said she was seeking treatment for addiction and had taken ecstasy as a way to enjoy parties.

Mr Rifan seemed surprised by the leak and responded by saying the transcript was fake, even though it apparently bears his signature as well and those of Ms Leslie and her police interrogators.

A DOCUMENT in which Australian model Michelle Leslie admits to being an ecstasy addict is a fake, her Indonesian lawyer claimed today.

"It is a fake document," Mohammad Rifan said of an alleged police record of interview with the Adelaide-born model, who is being held in Bali accused of possessing the party drug ecstasy.

Media reports cited what was purported to be a photocopy of a signed, four-and-a half-page transcript of a Bali police interview with Ms Leslie on Wednesday.

According to the alleged transcript, Ms Leslie had told her interrogators that she feared she was hooked on the drug, and had sought treatment for the problem in Australia.

Mr Rifan did not say who might have forged such a document.

But a transcript of interview was a confidential document and it "was not possible for Australian journalists to get that statement", he said.

"So I am sure it is a fake."

The alleged transcript appeared to carry signatures from Ms Leslie and Mr Rifan as well as the police officers who questioned her.

Mr Rifan said he had signed many documents, but not that one.

He said anyone could make a forgery.

"It is not difficult," he said.

Ms Leslie was detained during a routine drug sweep outside a Bali dance party on Saturday, when police found two ecstasy pills wrapped in tissue paper in her handbag.

According to the alleged transcript, Ms Leslie said she could not enjoy parties without taking ecstasy.

However, her parents said she did not take drugs, and urine tests after her arrest were negative.

Authorities were waiting today for the results of blood tests.

Mr Rifan also scoffed at separate claims by Bali drug squad chief Colonel Bambang Sugiarto that Ms Leslie had admitted to having an addiction.

"Addicted? She's never talked about being addicted," he said.

A spokesman for the model's family and Australian lawyer, Ross Hill, also denied the claims of addiction.

"Ms Leslie strenuously denies the allegations being made against her and shall vigorously defend any such claims," the spokesman said in a statement.

Ms Leslie made no comment today as she was taken from her holding cell to an office in Bali's sprawling police complex, apparently for more questioning.

She was escorted by several officers and a friend identified only as Vera.

Ms Leslie once again covered her face with a sarong.

Mr Rifan said documents pertaining to a criminal investigation should not be leaked.

"Everyone must respect legal procedures that are applied in Indonesia," he said.

Mr Rifan also brushed aside suggestions that an admission to being an addict would ensure leniency if Ms Leslie's case went to trial.

Recently, another of Mr Rifan's clients, South Australian John Pyle, was handed a jail term of only five months, for using hashish in Bali, after he said he was addicted and was being treated by a doctor.

No formal charges have been laid against Ms Leslie, but she is being held on suspicion of ecstasy possession, an offence that can carry a maximum term of 15 years in prison.

Mr Rifan said he did not yet know whether his client would face that exact charge, and he urged police to conduct their investigation quickly.

A spokesman for the 24-year-old Australian model facing drugs charges in Bali says her Indonesian lawyers was sacked because he lacks experience.

Sean Mulcahy is representing Michelle Leslie and her legal team and denies claims that her former lawyer Mr Rufan, quit the case.

Mr Mulcahy says Ms Leslie has already met with her new lawyer.

"They spent most of the day in counsel with both Mr Hill, her Australian lawyer and [things] are progressing nicely," he said.

"Her Indonesian counsel comes with a great deal of experience. He has been affiliated with Mr Suharto and comes highly recommended."

Mr Mulcahy says Ms Leslie is feeling more confident with her new lawyer.

"I spoke with Michelle yesterday, she's in good spirits," he said.

"She'd obviously prefer not to be in the situation, but having dealt with the situation the way she has, it's a credit to her character.

"She's obviously very strong and she's coping very well."

Michelle Leslie's Indonesian lawyer today quit her drug case saying he could not meet the expectations of the Australian model, her family and her Sydney lawyer.

''I am withdrawing from being her lawyer,'' Mohammed Rifan said.

''I resign as her lawyer because I cannot meet their target. I cannot fulfil all that they want.''

Rifan's surprise resignation comes just hours after he claimed that a document in which Leslie admits to being an ecstasy addict was a fake.

Media reports have cited what is purported to be a photocopy of a signed, four-and-a half-page transcript of a Bali police interview with Leslie on Wednesday.

In it, she allegedly told her interrogators she feared she was hooked on the drug and had sought treatment for the problem in Australia.

Rifan did not say who might have forged such a document.

Model denies ecstasy addiction

Adelaide-born model Michelle Leslie has denied claims she admitted to Indonesian police she was addicted to ecstasy and sought medical treatment to kick the habit, says a spokesman for her Australian lawyer and family.

The head of Bali's drug squad, Colonel Bambang Sugiarto, yesterday said Ms Leslie told police interrogators she had last used ecstasy two weeks before her arrest outside a Bali dance party on Saturday, when Indonesian officers allegedly found two tablets of the drug in her handbag.

A spokesman for the model's Australian lawyer and family later said Leslie denied the allegations.

"Ms Leslie strenuously denies the allegations being made against her and shall vigorously defend any such claims," the spokesman said in a statement.

Ecstasy-taking

In a signed statement of interview seen by The Age, Ms Leslie has admitted taking ecstasy on the afternoon before she was arrested entering a Bali dance party last weekend and that she planned to take one of the two tablets she was carrying.

In the statement, Ms Leslie said she felt addicted to the drug - which she had been using for a year - and could not enjoy parties without it.

Ms Leslie said a friend from Singapore she called Mia had bought two ecstasy tablets with her outside a popular nightclub on Friday night.

Although a urine test following her arrest on Saturday morning was negative, police were waiting for the results of a blood test taken on Wednesday.

Ms Leslie faces a possible 15-year jail term for possessing and using ecstasy under Indonesian law, even if she did not buy it. Police are searching for Mia, but she is believed to have fled Indonesia.

In the statement, Ms Leslie said Mia paid $20 each for the tablets after being approached in the street. She said she took the drug only for "special events" and did not know ecstasy was illegal in Indonesia.

Ms Leslie's lawyers still appear to be hoping laboratory tests on the pills will show they are fakes, despite preliminary testing finding them positive for the drug. There has been an unusual delay in completing the tests, which police said would be released four days ago.

Colonel Sugiarto refused to comment on Ms Leslie's statement, but said she would need to produce a doctor's report to prove her addiction.

Payne charges

A second Australian facing Indonesian drug charges, Graham Payne, is likely to escape charges that could have incurred the death penalty. Police in Medan said they had found no evidence to implicate him in drug manufacturing or trafficking.

More than 2000 pills found in Payne's house were "common drugs", not illegal narcotics or amphetamines, Major Irwan Anwar said. However, Payne will also face a third charge of drug use, on top of charges for possessing heroin and amphetamines.

Major Anwar said Payne's case should be presented to prosecutors next week.

Police have arrested Payne under amphetamine laws, carrying a five-year maximum jail term, and for possessing heroin, which has a potential 10-year term. The third charge has a maximum four-year sentence. He was working on the island of Sumatra as an English teacher.

Travel advice

Australians about to travel overseas are provided with travel advice on drug use and possession and possible penalties before leaving Australia.

Hints for Australian Travellers is a booklet provided by the Foreign Affairs Department and is distributed with every Australian passport issued.

The booklet points out that "ignorance is no defence" and that "consular assistance cannot override local law". Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam are listed as having tough drug laws, including life imprisonment and the death penalty.

- with Mark Forbes and Kezia Thomas