Chief Registrar's Office denies media ban during Nurulhidayah's court hearing

The Federal Court Chief Registrar's Office today clarified that an incident involving journalists being barred from covering the hearing of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's daughter, Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid and her husband Saiful Nizam Mohd Yusoff, was an oversight.

In a statement, the office said there was no instruction given to ban the media from the open court proceedings before Magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim and that the court "did not realise the presence of the media" in the court room yesterday.

"On that day, aside from the case against the (two) accused, there were also other cases scheduled, attended by prosecutors, police officers and the public, resulting in a packed room and there was no social distancing.

"The court had instructed for members of the public to leave in order to abide by the Health Ministry's guideline," said the Chief Registrar's Office.

"The court also did not realise the presence of the media on that day therefore there is no issue of the media being prevented to cover the case.

"The court always strives to ensure access to justice is carried out for all, including the media."

The National Union of Journalists Malaysia in a statement earlier had demanded an explanation from the courts over the incident seen as hindering reporters from carrying out their duties in reporting the news.

Media advocacy group Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) yesterday highlighted that at least five reporters assigned to cover the couple's charge for alleged breach of the movement control order were told to leave without any clear explanation.

The group cited Section 15 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, which stipulates that court proceedings should generally be open and public and members of the public may have access.

A similar provision for the lower courts including magistrate’s courts is also provided for under Section 101 of the Subordinate Courts Act 1948.

Nurulhidayah and her husband Saiful Nizam were sentenced to an RM800 fine each after pleading guilty to violating the order in Putrajaya last month. - Mkini