Najib's lawyer says media must not behave like 'estate people'

Former premier Najib Abdul Razak's lawyer today chided the media over news reports claiming that his client snapped photographs of himself using a mobile phone during proceedings.

"If they want to be the fourth or fifth estate, they shouldn't act like estate people," said Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

Shafee also told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that Najib did not take photographs, but had used the selfie mode of his mobile phone camera as a mirror.

The clarification was made upon request by Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali after the matter was raised by deputy public prosecutor V Sithambaran.

Earlier, Sithambaran informed the court of news reports about Najib taking selfies from the dock while proceedings were ongoing.

Najib is in the midst of his criminal trial concerning the alleged misappropriation of funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Following this, Shafee protested and singled out one reporter.

"This is getting overboard. I just asked Najib whether he took selfies. He said he would not do that. But he looked at it (camera) like a mirror," he said.

At this juncture, Nazlan informed Shafee that there were other news reports of Najib doing the same.

For the record, Malaysiakini, The Edge and Utusan Malaysia all published slightly varied accounts of this.

However, Shafee maintained that the reporter he pointed out earlier was responsible, because it was his article other news organisations relied on.

Shafee then urged the judge to ask Najib to explain himself, to which Nazlan (photo) agreed. The accused then confirmed that he was using his mobile device as a mirror.

Though satisfied with the explanation, the judge, however, warned that those taking photographs during proceedings in the future would face serious consequences.

"Anyone caught taking pictures in open court, if that ever happens in future, it will have to be dealt with seriously, including having to surrender mobile devices to the court during proceedings.

"The sanctity of the proceedings must be respected. After all, the court is to dispense justice, and the administration of justice must not be interfered with," he added.

Shafee then requested the court to also issue a "reminder" to reporters not to write articles that were of "zero value and in fact untrue."

Nazlan said this was unnecessary because reporters are bound by their own code of ethics.

"I'm sure (it was) not (done) with malice. The way the phone (was) used as a mirror gives the impression (that) selfies were taken.

"I will leave it at that," said the judge, before allowing the prosecution to proceed with their 35th witness. - Mkini