PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s application to initiate contempt of court proceedings against former attorney general Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh is in breach of an existing court order, says the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).
The AGC stated that on April 28, the High Court had granted a stay of all proceedings in the former prime minister’s bid to enforce a royal addendum allowing him to serve the remainder of his current jail sentence under house arrest.
“The issues raised in the application are currently the subject of a pending appeal in the Federal Court, which has been set for hearing on July 1 and 2.
“On May 22, the High Court also confirmed that the stay covers all existing and future proceedings relating to this case, including contempt of court proceedings,” the AGC said in a statement yesterday.
The statement follows confirmation that a leave application was filed on May 21 to initiate committal proceedings against Ahmad Terrirudin.
Najib’s application accuses Ahmad Terrirudin, while serving as attorney general, of knowingly directing or allowing false submissions to be made in a judicial review related to a controversial royal addendum order.
The AGC added that any attempt to pursue contempt proceedings while the stay order is in force constitutes a direct violation of the court order and undermines the orderly administration of justice. It further stated that it would not hesitate to seek the dismissal of the application on grounds of abuse of the court process.
In defence of Ahmad Terrirudin, the AGC said any allegations that he misled the court were unfounded and are currently being scrutinised by the highest court in the country.
It added that any action attempted while the appeal is ongoing is inappropriate, premature, and prejudicial.
“Justice must be upheld within the rule of law, not through public statements or sideline litigation,” said the AGC.
