The claim by UMNO Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was interfering in the court case of former PM Najib Abdul Razak pertaining to the charges levelled against the latter in relation to SRC International Sdn Bhd, as reported by Malaysiakini, is another serious allegation bordering on contempt of court, coming so soon after Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s equally reckless allegation against the judiciary in relation to the acquittal of a woman in Johor Bahru of a charge of reckless driving which caused the deaths of eight teenage cyclists.
Lokman was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying,
“Since the beginning, I knew there was interference from Mahathir. Had that not been so, the case would have been dropped.”
The interference referred to by Lokman above can only mean in Najib’s said court case which clearly implies that the PM had interfered with and influenced the High Court in calling for the defence of Najib on seven charges in the case which is baseless and completely unfounded.
There can be no doubt that Lokman’s said allegation undermines public confidence in the judiciary and ridicules, scandalises and offends the dignity, impartiality and integrity of the court.
I had called on the Attorney General to initiate contempt proceedings against Ahmad Zahid for his said remarks and I note various police reports have since been lodged against Ahmad Zahid pertaining to his said allegation.
However, no action has been taken by the AG to date against Ahmad Zahid.
The AG must initiate contempt proceedings, the way he did against lawyer Arun Kasi, against both Ahmad Zahid and Lokman in respect of their said serious allegations against the judiciary, failing which, it is likely that more of such reckless allegations will be made in the future, as evident in the case of Lokman today.
There is no reason for the AG not to act and he must do so forthwith without fear or favour.