PETALING JAYA: Najib Razak’s bid to initiate contempt proceedings against former attorney-general Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh is a direct breach of a court order regarding the former prime minister’s judicial review, says the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
The AGC said the High Court last month granted a stay of proceedings in Najib’s bid to enforce a royal decree placing him under house arrest.
This is pending the hearing of the government’s appeal in the apex court against the Court of Appeal’s decision to grant Najib leave to commence judicial review proceedings to enforce the royal decree.
“The AGC will not hesitate to seek for this leave application (to initiate contempt proceedings) to be set aside (on grounds that it is) an abuse of court process,” it said in a statement.
Earlier, Najib’s lawyers said they filed an application on Wednesday to commence committal proceedings against Terriruddin over his purported failure to reveal the former king’s royal addendum allowing Najib to serve his remaining jail sentence under house arrest.
The AGC defended Terriruddin, saying the former AG had performed his duties in accordance with the law throughout his tenure.
“Claims that he tried to ‘mislead’ the court (over the addendum) have no basis. This action to initiate committal proceedings while the appeal process is ongoing is unnecessary, premature and prejudicial,” it added.
