Najib's contempt bid against ex-AG 'abuse of process', says AGC

Summary

• Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s attempt to cite former AG Terrirudin Salleh for alleged contempt is an abuse of process, says the AGC.

• The AGC points out a Kuala Lumpur High Court order to postpone all proceedings related to the royal addendum pending an appeal at the Federal Court.

• It also defends Terrirudin, saying the ex-AG carried out his duties in line with constitutional functions.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has slammed former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak for initiating contempt proceedings against former attorney-general Terrirudin Salleh.

In a statement, it said the move was an abuse of process and directly in breach of a Kuala Lumpur High Court order to postpone all proceedings related to the royal addendum ordering Najib to serve the remainder of his six-year jail term under house arrest.

“For clarification, the issue raised in this application is currently the subject of an appeal that has yet to be decided by the Federal Court, where the case has been set for hearing this July 1 and 2.

“The issues that were cited as the basis for the committal proceedings (filed by Najib) will be thoroughly argued in the appeal proceedings.

“The High Court had on April 28 allowed the postponement of all proceedings until the appeal case is disposed of at the Federal Court.

“On May 22, the High Court had also confirmed in writing that the postponement covers all existing and future proceedings related to this case, including any contempt proceeding.

“Any attempt to initiate or continue contempt proceedings when the postponement order is still in effect is a direct violation of the court ruling and will affect the orderly administration of justice,” the statement said.

AGC added that it will not hesitate to seek the court to strike out the application by Najib.

‘Terrirudin did his job’

It also defended Terrirudin, saying the former attorney-general had carried out his duties in line with its constitutional functions.

“The allegation that he was misleading the court was totally baseless and is being scrutinised by the country’s highest judicial body.

“The move to initiate a committal proceeding during the appeal process was improper, immature, and prejudicial.”

Earlier today, Najib’s legal counsel Shafee Abdullah announced that they have submitted an application to cite Terrirudin for alleged contempt of court.

This was in connection with Terrirudin’s action in 2024 as the then-attorney-general, where he declined to reveal in court the existence of a royal addendum ordering Najib to serve the remainder of his six-year jail term under house arrest.

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