KUALA LUMPUR – Celebrity Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor and husband Muhammad Haris Mohd Ismail are not winning any fans as lawyers expressed outrage after their car was parked in the Seremban court complex yesterday.
In a letter addressed to the Negri Sembilan Bar Committee by law firm Sharif & Khoo, it said only vehicles belonging to court staff, lawyers, court officers, and police are allowed into court grounds.
Members of the public are not allowed to park with exceptions for those with disabilities. Recently, the Seremban 2 magistrate court disallowed vehicles belonging to lawyers from entering its premises.
“This leaves us to park on the opposite side of the road and walk across. Some of us cart heavy files and bags while crossing the busy roads. In fact, some members of the Bar who are pregnant are still not allowed to park in court premises, and even some senior lawyers were scolded by guards when requests to enter the premises were made.”
Despite that, it said there were no feelings of discontent due to the respect it had towards the court and the profession – until now.
“However, these feelings of discontent have since changed when both accused were allowed to enter the premises in an exclusive manner superseding even members of the Bar.
“As legal practitioners and agents of the court, it is well beyond our concern how an accused chooses to enter court premises.
“However, considering the negative view this will bring upon the legal profession and the court, we question both accused positions under the law to allow such exclusivity.”
The firm added that Neelofa and her husband are merely influencers and business figures, nothing more, and that they should be accorded equal treatment as any other accused persons.
“It is our duty as legal practitioners to ensure that the principle of (the) law is upheld and not manipulated by persons of underserved importance,” the letter said.
Neelofa is also being investigated for failing to wear a mask during her appearance at the Seremban magistrates’ court yesterday.
Seremban district police chief Mohd Said Ibrahim told The Star that a report has been lodged over the matter, following a news report that went viral.
The article carried a photo of the actress, donning a niqab but without a mask on, outside the courtroom.
“We have received a police report claiming that she failed to adhere to the Health Ministry's standard operating procedures, which apply to all individuals,” Said was quoted as saying.
He said the investigation is being carried out under Section 269 of the Penal Code and Rule 17(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (Conditional Movement Control) 2021.
Neelofa and her husband were in court over charges of violating conditional movement control order (CMCO) standard operating procedures.
The couple pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
Neelofa was granted a RM5,000 bail despite the prosecution applying for RM20,000, while Haris, who faces two charges, was granted a RM10,000 bail. The court set June 4 for remention. – The Vibes, May 21, 2021
