ATTORNEY-GENERAL Tommy Thomas has gotten the nod to begin proceedings against Umno lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah for contempt of court, over comments made to reporters at the Kuala Lumpur court complex on February 7.

The application, filed in chambers at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning, said Shafee violated Order 52 of the Rules of Court 2012 by seeking to influence the court’s decision to allow the A-G’s application for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal over three money laundering charges against former prime minister Najib Razak.

Deputy public prosecutor Shamsul Bolhassan said judge Firuz Jaffril was satisfied, and the application was granted.

Firuz set March 25 for case management. Shafee will be served within two weeks.

The application quoted Shafee as commenting to reporters, as published by Malaysiakini’s KiniTV: “Well, we have been preparing a long time. But there’s always, last minute, a lot of changes. But that has been disturbed.

“But we think our case is very good. Okay? If we have the judge alone, do not influence the judge, if the judge is straight, if witnesses are not coached and not fabricated evidence, we should win. Okay? Much to your surprise. My opinion is we should win. Okay? Alright?”

In his application, Thomas said Shafee knew or ought to have known that the offensive statements were contemptuous to the judge, and undermined the administration of justice and public confidence in the judiciary.

“The defendant knew or ought to have known the offensive statements would clearly place the trial judge in an embarrassing situation, and create a state of uncertainty about the fair and just determination of the criminal case.

“The words were uttered deliberately and with intent by the defendant in an attempt to pressure and influence the decision in that case.”

Under Order 52, those found guilty of violating court rules can be fined or jailed. – March 1, 2019.