The Federal Court has allowed Attorney-General Idrus Harun to begin contempt proceedings against news portal Malaysiakini and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan over readers’ comments on the judiciary.
According to Malaysiakini, a three-member panel led by Judge Rohana Yusof ruled today that Idrus, the applicant, had managed to establish prima facie for the application.
Case management has been set for June 25 and the next hearing will be on July 2.
Idrus was represented by deputy public prosecutor Alice Loke this morning while Malaysiakini was represented by counsel A Surendra Ananth.
In his affidavit filed yesterday, Idrus said the application for contempt proceedings was over readers’ comments in an article dated June 9 titled “CJ orders all courts to be fully operational from July 1.”
Citing five comments, Idrus alleged that they “clearly meant that the judiciary committed wrongdoings, is involved in corruption, does not uphold justice and compromised its integrity.”
“These comments threaten public confidence in the judiciary and are clearly aimed at tarnishing the administration of justice by the judiciary,” he said.
Idrus went on to allege that Malaysiakini had erred in facilitating the publication of these comments, which were “unwarranted” and “demeaning” attacks on the judiciary.
Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Gan provided his statement over the matter to officers from the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters.
The case is being investigated under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 as well as the Penal Code. – June 17, 2020
