Shafee UPSET at Anwar's 'go back to law school' jibe but Fed Court SNUBS his 'contempt' complaint

PUTRAJAYA - The Federal Court pushed aside lead prosecutor Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah's (pix) complaint that Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has attacked the Federal Court and committed "serious" contempt of court.

Complaining to the Federal Court panel at the beginning of the proceeding, he cited publication of news reports quoting Anwar asking him "to go back to law school" and said the "court will acquit him if he decides to retire".

Shafee suggested that Anwar should admit his mistake and apologise to the court.

He said Anwar did not make a correction to the news reports, which showed that he had indeed made the statements.

Shafee said that having discussed the reports with the Attorney-General, they found the statements to be in serious contempt of court and warrants further action.

"The articles in several publications like Mkini and MalayMail Online, reported 'Go back to law school Anwar told Shafee'.

"Now that's not a problem, I take it as a friendly banter.

"But what is not right is when he is attacking the Federal Court," Shafee said.

He said the Attorney-General, whom he described as the "fountain of justice" and "guardian of justice", had directed him to raise the issue in court.

"You can even say the court was not entirely fair but you can't say the court is corrupt and that it's being influenced by the executive body," he said.

However the Federal Court panel had asked for the proceeding to continue.

When lead defence counsel Datuk Sri Gopal Sri Ram asked the panel, "Do my Lordships want me to reply to this?"

Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria, who is chairing the panel said: "I think we will continue with the trial."

The hearing of Anwar's final attempt to overturn his sodomy conviction by the Court of Appeal in March enters its seventh day today at the Federal Court. -Sundaily