AGC's counsel chided for late submission in Shafee’s contempt case
The counsel of the Attorney General’s Chambers was today chided for the late filing of the submission in the contempt case of lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
Addressing senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Firuz Jaffril said: "I asked you to file your submission by May 17, but you filed it only last night at 11.33pm, I saw...
The counsel of the Attorney General’s Chambers was today chided for the late filing of the submission in the contempt case of lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
Addressing senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Firuz Jaffril said: "I asked you to file your submission by May 17, but you filed it only last night at 11.33pm, I saw.
"As much as I love to read submissions before bed, if we proceed, it is not going to be good for your side.
"I have read (Shafee's lawyer) David Matthews' submission, but I have not had an opportunity to read yours."
The judge thus suggested the case be heard at a later time, and postponed the hearing to 3pm today with the agreement of both parties.
On March 1, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas was granted leave to cite Shafee for contempt over the latter’s comments in a KiniTV video entitled "Shafee: This is completely bonkers".
Read more: Shafee: AG deliberately omitting info in contempt case
The lawyer, who represents Najib Abdul Razak for his 1MDB-related cases, had made the comments after the former premier was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for three money-laundering charges on Feb 7.
In the video, Shafee said he was confident of Najib's chances if the judge has not been “influenced” and evidence had not been “fabricated.”
“...But we think our case is very good. Ok? If you leave the judge alone, do not influence the judge, if the judge is straight, if witnesses are not coached and evidence not fabricated, we should win. Ok?
“Much to our surprise. My opinion is we should win. Ok? Alright,” he had said.
Shafee, who was present in court today, is applying to set aside the leave granted for the contempt.
At this morning's hearing, Matthews indicated to Firuz that his client wanted to address the court to apologise for missing the previous March 25 hearing.
The judge turned down the request.
“His (Shafee’s) presence today is already a sign of an apology,” he said.
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