The Kuala Lumpur High Court has ruled there is no need for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to answer the allegation that he committed contempt of court with regard to a press statement he issued two weeks ago.

Justice Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim said the press statement issued on July 7 did not indicate that Najib was referring to the ongoing court case between Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir and the prime minister's aide Tengku Sarifuddin Tengku Ahmad.

Therefore, he said Mukhriz had failed to prove a prima facie case against Najib.

Mukhriz at the start of his defamation trial against Najib's aide Tengku Sariffuddin on July 13, filed an application for contempt against Najib following the PM's statement on his blog six days before the trial.

He complained that the statement was similar to the third and fourth press statements issued by Tengku Sariffuddin which is the subject matter of the trial and said it is to exert pressure to this court in the administration of justice.

However, as the judge ruled that after looking at the whole press statement there is nothing mentioned or referred to any hearing.

“The conclusion by the public at large who reads it is not directed to pressure the court to make a decision in this case either for or against or for the interest of any party,” he said.

“There is no statement to direct or exert pressure to the court and what is said is not related to the case. Hence, from Mukhriz's affidavit, had failed to prove a prima facie case that the statement made by Najib in his blog is to refer to this case or put pressure on the court,” he said.

“Hence, the court regretfully does not grant leave for the plaintiff to initiate a committal proceeding on the alleged contempt by Najib,” Justice Ahmad Zaidi said.

Ahmad Zaidi also made no order as to costs.

Mukhriz's lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla said that they will appeal today's decision to the Court of Appeal.

He also said that the contempt proceeding against Deputy Transport Minister and Umno Supreme Council member Abdul Aziz Kaprawi will be heard on Oct 6.