Latest news with #Shafee
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Shafee gets show-cause notice from AGC over 'Nazi Germany hearing' jibe
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General's Chambers has given lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah seven days to explain remarks he made likening a court proceeding to "a Nazi-Germany kind of hearing", which it claims amounts to contempt of court. In a show-cause notice sighted by the New Straits Times, the AGC stated that the comments, made during a press conference on May 29, risked undermining public confidence in the judiciary and scandalising the judiciary. Shafee made the remarks while commenting on a judicial review application by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak against the attorney-general, during a press conference that was streamed live on Najib's official Facebook page. According to the notice, Shafee had criticised a stay order issued by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, claiming it was made administratively without hearing both parties. He was quoted as saying, "A judicial decision means you hear both parties. Since when do we do a Nazi-Germany kind of hearing?" The AGC said the statement suggested that the court had acted unfairly, unilaterally, and in breach of legal principles. It added that Shafee's remarks were not only disrespectful but also amounted to a serious interference with the administration of justice. "The statements made by you clearly suggest that the Kuala Lumpur High Court acted unjustly and posed a real risk of undermining public confidence in the administration of justice," the notice read. The AGC also accused Shafee of scandalising the judiciary by questioning the court's handling of Najib's case and casting aspersions on the impartiality of the judge involved. It was reported that Shafee's criticism of a court order to temporarily stop all proceedings linked to Najib's royal addendum, during which the lawyer allegedly compared the decision with "a Nazi-Germany kind of hearing". Shafee clarified to the media that the remark was made during an exchange with a reporter and was intended to educate the public, not undermine the judiciary. He also said the remark was made solely in the context of explaining the meaning and essence of a "judicial decision". Najib has obtained leave from the Court of Appeal to begin judicial review proceedings to enforce a royal decree which allows him to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest. However, proceedings have been suspended pending the disposal of the A-G's appeal to the Federal Court, which will be heard next week.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Shafee asked by AG to show cause over ‘Nazi hearing' claim
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: V Anbalagan, FMT Text Size: Lawyer Shafee Abdullah is alleged to have made the remark during a press conference on May 29, which was live-streamed via ex-prime minister Najib Razak's Facebook page. PETALING JAYA: The attorney-general (AG) has asked lawyer Shafee Abdullah to show cause why committal proceedings should not be brought against him over his description of a court proceeding as 'a Nazi-Germany kind of hearing'. In a letter dated June 23 and handed personally to Shafee, the AG sought a reply from him within seven days. 'If you do not provide a satisfactory explanation within seven days from the date of this notice, criminal prosecution will be initiated against you,' the letter, sighted by FMT, read. The letter was signed by deputy public prosecutor Saiful Edris Zainuddin on behalf of AG Dusuki Mokhtar and sent pursuant to Order 52, Rule 2B of the Rules of Court 2012. The provision states that any formal notice to show cause why a person should not be committed to prison or fined must be served personally. The letter claimed that Shafee, who acts for ex-prime minister Najib Razak in his ongoing criminal charges and civil suits, made the remark during a press conference on May 29, which was live-streamed via Najib's Facebook page. The letter alleged that the words spoken as a whole could undermine public confidence and interfere in the administration of justice. Malaysiakini last month reported Shafee's criticism of a court order to temporarily stop all proceedings linked to Najib's royal addendum, during which the lawyer allegedly compared the decision to 'a Nazi-Germany kind of hearing'. Shafee clarified to the media that the remark was made during an exchange with a reporter and was intended to educate the public, not undermine the judiciary. He also said the remark was made solely in the context of explaining the meaning and essence of a 'judicial decision'. Najib has obtained leave from the Court of Appeal to begin judicial review proceedings to enforce a royal decree which allows him to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest. However, proceedings have been suspended pending the disposal of the AG's appeal to the Federal Court, which will be heard next week. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
![[UPDATED] 'Fewer cases hanging over him': Najib happy with SRC DNAA](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FDATUK_SERI_NAJIB_TUN_RAZAK_1750387182.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] 'Fewer cases hanging over him': Najib happy with SRC DNAA
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak is happy that he had been given the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) over three money laundering charges RM27 million linked to SRC International Bhd. Najib's lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, said the former prime minister is pleased with the decision of High Court judge K. Muniandy, who had issued the DNAA order today. "He is happy simply because there are not too many cases hanging over his head. He has been asking for a DNAA for sometime. "He can concentrate on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case now," said Shafee in a press conference after court proceedings. Shafee said the prosecution cannot appeal against Muniandy's decision today. "If they are ready, then they can recharge. But, we hope they do not. "There is enough prejudice on Najib. We implore the Attorney-General to use his good office and discretion to close this matter," he said. Najib, however, will return to prison. "For this case, he is freed. But because he is serving another jail term, he goes back to jail," Shafee added. Shafee said Najib was charged in 2019 but the case was postponed multiple times over the years despite close to 30 days of trial set for proceedings. "At last, the judge said the prosecution had conveyed to him in May that although they want to proceed with the case, they are not ready yet. "This is because there are many documents, up to 500 pages, not in their hands because those documents are also required in the other SRC case, SRC civil case and cases involving others, so it (the documents) is everywhere. "So when the judge asked if the documents could be obtained as soon as possible, the prosecution could not commit because they do not know when themselves," he said. Shafee said Najib should have been charged for the offences in the first case of SRC involving RM42 million, where he was later sentenced to 12 years jail and fined RM210 million. However, the Federal Territories Pardons Board reduced Najib's fine to RM50 million and halved his 12-year jail term to six. "These three charges came later from the first SRC charge. Otherwise, Najib could have had a different outcome and he does not have to face a double journey. "The prosecution should have known whether the charges were connected. In fact, they knew, but somebody forgot to bring it up to the same court for one joint case. "As we know, money laundering charges cannot stand on their own. It has to be always associated with a predicate offence," he said.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Shafee files police report on behalf of Najib over 'royal addendum'
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah has filed a police report, on behalf of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, against former attorney general Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh concerning the issue of the Royal Addendum, Sinar Harian reports. Muhammad Shafee, who is Najib's lead counsel, told the Malay language daily that he was instructed by Najib to file the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters on Monday (June 16). "Previously, Najib had sought permission to file a police report either from within prison or with the assistance of prison authorities to make a report at the Kajang district police headquarters. "However, the request did not receive a positive response. Therefore, he instructed me to file the report," he said on Monday. Shafee said that the report was filed against Ahmad Terrirudin under Sections 204 and 209 of the Penal Code. "The offences alleged in the report are related to the Royal Addendum. I will not comment further as this report is an investigation document," he told Sinar Harian. Earlier, on May 29, Shafee revealed that Najib had not received any response despite seven letters being sent to confirm the existence of the Royal Addendum. At a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, Shafee explained that the letters were sent to the then Attorney General, Ahmad Terrirudin, the Home Affairs Ministry, and the director-general of Prisons. However, he said that there was no response or confirmation that the letters had been received by any of the relevant parties.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Shafee: Najib should be granted DNAA due to prolonged delay
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah has called for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for Datuk Seri Najib Razak over RM27 million money laundering charges linked to SRC International Bhd, citing prolonged uncertainty in the case. Shafee, representing the former prime minister, made the submission after the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) rejected a representation letter seeking to quash the three charges brought against Najib in 2019. Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul told the court that while the prosecution was ready to proceed with a full trial, more time was needed to sort out documents related to the case. A DNAA means a person is released from the charges without being fully acquitted, allowing for future prosecution for the same offence. However, Shafee countered by stating that a DNAA is the most appropriate course of action for now and the prosecution can resume the case once they have completed compiling the necessary documents and are fully prepared to proceed with trial. "This case has been ongoing since 2019 and the delay now spans six years. "Documents related to the first SRC case have already been circulated across various courts, including the Federal Court and in civil proceedings. "The defence is proposing a DNAA to avoid overburdening the courts with documents and to give the prosecution time to prepare its case without prejudice. "The accused should not be left waiting indefinitely for trial dates to be set. Justice demands clarity and certainty for both sides," he said before judge K. Muniandy today. Earlier, Mohd Ashrof told the court that 807 exhibits had been tendered during the earlier SRC trial in the High Court, and many of them would be required in the money laundering case. He said the prosecution would file a formal application to retrieve the documents from the High Court Registrar's Office, as they are currently under court custody. "Retrieving the exhibits may take time, so we are seeking a later trial date to allow for document compilation and the preparation of witness statements. "These documents are not readily accessible. The last time the prosecution had access to them was during the 2020 SRC trial, and we are unsure of their current whereabouts. "While we are not ready to proceed immediately, we are committed to moving forward with the trial. The delay in retrieving documents alone does not justify a DNAA," he said. The court then fixed June 20 to decide whether to grant a DNAA or to set trial dates. On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering involving RM27 million, allegedly received through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, AmBank Group Building, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014. He was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM5 million, up to five years' imprisonment, or both upon conviction. The former Umno president is currently serving a jail term in Kajang Prison for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds. On Sept 2, 2022, he filed a petition for a royal pardon. On Jan 29 this year, the Pardons Board halved his jail sentence from 12 to six years and reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.
