The Sessions Court has scheduled a hearing for a contempt case against Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal over statements linked to the Zara Qairina inquest.
KOTA KINABALU: The Sessions Court has fixed February 3 next year for the hearing of a contempt case against Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The case relates to statements he allegedly made about the inquest into Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death.
Mohd Shafie was absent from today’s proceedings, despite a prior court reminder to his counsel to ensure his attendance.
Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan directed the prosecution to file its affidavit by December 26 and the defence to file its reply by January 9.
Written submissions from both sides are due no later than January 19.
Mohd Shafie’s legal team, led by Chen Ket Chuin KC, informed the court that an application to strike out the committal proceedings had been filed on December 15.
Chen submitted that the defence will also file an affidavit in support of that application to oppose the proceedings brought by deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalan.
On October 23, Judge Amir Shah granted leave to the Attorney General’s Chambers to initiate committal proceedings against the respondent.
According to the AGC, the show cause notice for the committal proceedings was served on Mohd Shafie in Tawau, Sabah, on November 3.
He was required to respond to the notice and file supporting affidavits within 14 days.
