A lawyer representing Muhammad Shafee Abdullah in the latter's contempt case expressed his unhappiness at media reports over how a Kuala Lumpur High Court judge purportedly chided senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan (above) for a late submission filing last week.
David Mathews told judge Mohd Firuz Jaffril this during this afternoon's hearing of veteran lawyer Shafee's application to set aside the leave to proceed with contempt proceedings obtained via ex parte (without the opposing party being present).
"I do not think that it (media reports) was an accurate recreation of your (judge's) remarks that day.
"Your lordship was concerned with submissions.
"I feel compelled to say this as it cast my learned friend (senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan) in a bad light.
"I feel compelled to stand up for him. I think it is unfair as he is an upstanding person, so it is unfair to be characterised that way.
"Hope the media be mindful of words used in future," Mathews expressed his thoughts to Firuz.
The judge then said to Shamsul: "If what I said (last week) landed you in trouble, it was not my intention."
Shamsul is representing the Attorney-General's Chambers, who previously obtained leave to proceed with contempt proceedings against Shafee (photo).
On May 23, it was reported that Shamsul was chided for the late filing of the submission in Shafee's contempt case.
Addressing Shamsul, Firuz was reported to have 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 Mathews' 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 that day, with the agreement of both parties.
On March 1, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas (above) was granted leave for the Attorney-General’s Chambers to proceed with a bid to cite Shafee for contempt over the latter’s comments in a KiniTV video entitled "Shafee: This is completely bonkers".
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. - Mkini
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