Isham Jalil awaits July 1 contempt ruling over judiciary remarks on Najib's SRC, 1MDB trials
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — Former Umno information chief Isham Jalil will know on July 1 whether he will be held in contempt of court over remarks allegedly undermining public confidence in the judiciary.
High Court judge K. Muniandy fixed the date after hearing submissions in the committal proceedings filed by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), according to New Straits Times.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam argued, 'The respondent has tarnished the judiciary's reputation when he questioned the actions and decision of the Federal Court and the High Court involving both 1MDB and SRC International criminal cases.'
He said Isham's comments posed a real risk of eroding public trust in the justice system.
Isham's lawyer Tan Sri Azizan Harun contended that the statements were not made with the intent to bring the court into disrepute.
Azizan also said the AGC failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that his client's actions amounted to contempt.
He added that the grounds raised during the hearing differed from those stated during the initial application, leaving Isham unclear on how to mount a proper defence.
'The courts must be strong enough to withstand criticism and should not overreact, especially in today's social media era where everyone is free to express their opinions,' Azizan said.
He questioned why Isham could not express views similar to those raised by Datuk Seri Najib Razak's lawyers during court proceedings.
The AGC filed the application on December 28, 2023, based on Isham's remarks in an interview titled 'Townhall For Justice: Keadilan Sebenarnya Untuk Siapa? (Who is Justice Really For?)'
The interview, which included criticism of Najib's corruption trial and appeal related to 1MDB and SRC International Sdn Bhd, was posted on the Facebook page of The Malaya Post on September 30, 2023.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Umno legal bureau examining anti-party hopping laws in Zafrul's case, says Azalina
PETALING JAYA: Umno's legal bureau is checking if anti-party hopping laws apply to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. "Umno's legal bureau has been asked to study the implications of anti-party hopping laws – including the position of senator – to ensure that the next course of action complies with the legal framework. "Each minister is appointed as a representative of their respective party. Umno remains committed towards serving the nation in the unity government setting and will continue to fulfil the people's mandate," said the Umno information chief on Sunday(June 1). Azalina, who is also a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), said she and Umno respect the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister's decision but stressed that Cabinet positions are given based on party mandate and not in a personal capacity. Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had said that Tengku Zafrul was not bound by anti-party hopping laws because he is not an elected representative. Bernama reported Mohamad as saying that the pledge signed by Tengku Zafrul as a Barisan Nasional candidate in the 15th General Election could not be enforced as well because he did not win the seat he contested. "That (the pledge) is not included within the scope of the agreement because Tengku Zafrul did not win the election. That is a pledge made by an elected representative, a state assemblyman or a Member of Parliament. "If they win, the seat belongs to the party, not the individual. If the candidate wins, they sign many agreements, including reimbursing costs incurred by the party. "Tengku Zafrul did not win. He became a minister on the basis of being a senator," he told reporters after a luncheon on Saturday (May 31).
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Company director loses RM137,200 in fake govt tender scam in Kemaman
CHUKAI, June 1 — A company director lost RM137,200 after falling victim to a syndicate offering a fictitious government tender. Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli said the 52-year-old man was contacted via WhatsApp on May 13 by someone posing as a representative of a public university in Kelantan, offering a tender to supply 20 air-conditioning units and a power generator. 'To gain the victim's trust, the suspect sent four purchase orders allegedly issued by the secretary-general of the Higher Education Ministry, along with contact details of a supposed supplier,' he said in a statement today. The victim believed the offer and made seven bank transfers to an account under the name Gertrude Chee over a five-day period starting May 27. He later discovered the tender was a scam. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Police urge the public to verify any tender offers with the relevant authorities before making financial transactions. — Bernama
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Unity govt agreement silent on leaders switching parties, says Rafizi
AMPANG JAYA: The agreement to form the unity government is silent on whether a party can accept members from other parties aligned with the federal administration or otherwise, said Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli. The Pandan member of parliament, who helped draft the unity government agreement, nonetheless shares Umno's concern that Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz's departure from Umno and potential entry into PKR could create political uncertainty for the unity government. "As someone who helped draft the unity government agreement, I can say there is nothing in it that says whether a party can or cannot take in members from another component (parties aligned with the unity government). "So this is a grey area, and eventually, it is something that needs to be discussed by the unity government's leadership," he told reporters after attending the closing ceremony of the Belia Madani 2.0 programme in the Pandan constituency near Ampang Hospital today. Tengku Zafrul on Friday announced his resignation from all his posts in Umno. The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister also expressed his intention to join PKR. Tengku Zafrul's announcement received mixed reactions, with some Umno leaders voicing their unhappiness and concern over political harmony within the Madani administration. Rafizi described the concerns raised by Umno, including its secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, as reasonable since they stem from a desire to maintain harmony among parties in the coalition. "Umno's view is based on the need to preserve goodwill among parties in the unity government, and they believe such actions should be avoided as they could trigger a situation that may be difficult to manage. "For instance, if someone from Umno is later removed, where do we draw the line? At what level of leadership would such moves be acceptable? "I believe their concerns are valid and should be taken seriously by the unity government's top leadership," he said. Meanwhile, Rafizi reiterated his decision not to accept any party positions following his resignation from the Cabinet. He added that his political involvement was not about holding positions, but about continuing his message and struggle. "I've already made it clear I will not take up any posts, even if I'm offered the post of deputy president or any other role." When asked whether he had received offers to join other political parties, Rafizi said he would remain in PKR to serve his constituents.
