KUALA LUMPUR (May 30): The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) said it will initiate contempt of court proceedings against lawyer Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah over his remark describing court proceedings in the royal addendum matter to a “Nazi-Germany kind of hearing”.

The remark made by Shafee at a press conference on Thursday amounted to a serious attack on the judiciary, said the AGC in a statement on Friday.

“The statement [by Shafie], made in the context of an ongoing case, constitutes a serious and unwarranted attack on the dignity, authority, and independence of the judiciary.

“While lawyers have the right to challenge judicial decisions through appropriate legal channels, public statements that tarnish the image of the court or undermine public confidence in the administration of justice are unacceptable in our legal system,” the AGC said.

It added that it would proceed with contempt of court applications to uphold the rule of law, protect the integrity of the judiciary, and safeguard the courts from baseless accusations and undue public pressure.

“The attorney general views this matter seriously as an issue involving constitutional and institutional interests. Contempt of court proceedings will continue in order to uphold the rule of law, preserve the integrity of the judicial process, and protect the court from unwarranted allegations and public pressure,” the AGC said.

According to a report in Malaysiakini on Thursday, Shafee likened the court decision in former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s royal addendum matter to a "Nazi-Germany kind of hearing”.

The comment was made in relation to a court order that temporarily suspended proceedings related to Najib’s judicial review, which sought to enforce a purported royal decree for house arrest.

In a subsequent statement, Shafee clarified that the "Nazi-Germany" comment was made during an exchange with a journalist and was intended to educate the public about the concept and essence of a “judicial decision”, rather than to disparage the judiciary.

Najib is currently serving a prison sentence in the Kajang Prison, after the Federal Court dismissed his final appeal in the RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd case in August 2022.

In February 2024, the Pardons Board reduced his initial 12-year jail sentence and fine of RM210 million, to six years and a RM50 million fine.

The Court of Appeal has ordered Najib’s judicial review application to be remitted to the High Court to have its merits heard.