A-G accuses Anwar of contempt for statements made outside court

Prosecutor Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had, according to the Attorney-General, insulted the court with his statements to the press. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 6, 2014.

The prosecution in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy appeal began the hearing today by turning on the opposition leader for possible contempt of court over statements he had made outside the court.

Prosecutor Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told the Federal Court's five-man bench that he had been instructed by the Attorney-General to bring these statements to the court's attention.

"(As) directed by the A-G… not only the tendency but the actual obligation of a statement attributed to Anwar amounts to serious contempt of scandalising this court.

"The A-G wants me to raise this for purposes of record so that justices are aware," the government-appointed private lawyer said.

Anwar, according to the A-G, had insulted the court with his statements to the press after the court had adjourned on Tuesday.

Shafee said Anwar's statement was reproduced in many news outlets including Malaysiakini and Malay Mail Online.

"(The) Malaysiakini article was titled 'Go back to law school, Anwar tells Shafee', while a report in the Malay Mail Online said he would be acquitted if he retired.

"He says he doesn't want to retire but perhaps the court would acquit him if he chooses to retire," said Shafee.

"I take it as a friendly banter. But what troubles the A-G is when he attacks the court unkindly," the prosecutor said.

"The A-G is the fountain of justice," Shafee said, adding that he would be "failing his duty" if he did not raise Anwar's allegedly contemptuous statements.

Shafee said Anwar had also told the press that an acquittal would be a "correct, honourable decision" for himself, his wife and his family.

These remarks, Shafee said, showed that Anwar had "gone beyond the limit of proper criticism of the court".

"You can say when something is unfair but you can't say the court is corrupt or the court is an instrument of the executive."

Anwar's co-counsel then told the panel of judges that they would reply to this matter when the appeal hearing was over.

- TMI