Ex-Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has been sentenced to five weeks’ jail after the Sessions Court in Kota Kinabalu found the Parti Warisan president guilty of contempt of court over remarks linked to the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan ruled that Shafie’s comments, made while the inquest was still ongoing, had the potential to interfere with the administration of justice by influencing public opinion before the court process had reached its conclusion.
The Semporna Member of Parliament, however, will not serve the sentence immediately after the court granted his application for a stay of execution pending his appeal at the High Court.
The contempt proceedings arose following remarks made by Shafie regarding Zara Qairina’s death, which were later circulated publicly and raised concerns over whether they could affect the fairness and independence of the inquest proceedings.
The court had been asked to consider whether the statements crossed the threshold of contempt by creating a risk of prejudicing the judicial process, particularly while evidence was still being examined.
The proceedings centred on the principle that public figures, regardless of position or political standing, must exercise caution when commenting on matters before the courts to ensure that ongoing legal processes are not undermined.
Shafie, who previously served as Sabah Chief Minister, had maintained his position on the matter, while the court’s ruling focused on the impact and potential consequences of the remarks rather than their political context.
The decision comes amid heightened public attention surrounding the inquest into Zara Qairina’s death, with authorities repeatedly stressing that the matter should be allowed to proceed through the proper legal channels without speculation or interference.
Following Wednesday’s ruling, Shafie’s five-week jail sentence remains suspended pending the outcome of his appeal. - July 29, 2026
