Shafee asked to show cause over ‘Nazi hearing’ claim

THE Attorney-General's Chambers has given lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah seven days to explain remarks he made likening a court proceeding to "a Nazi-Germany kind of hearing", which it claims amounts to contempt of court.

In a show-cause notice sighted by the New Straits Times, the AGC stated that the comments, made during a press conference on May 29, risked undermining public confidence in the judiciary and scandalising it.

Shafee made the remarks while commenting on a judicial review application by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak against the attorney-general, during a press conference that was streamed live on Najib's official Facebook page.

According to the notice, Shafee had criticised a stay order issued by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, claiming it was made administratively without hearing both parties.

He was quoted as saying, "A judicial decision means you hear both parties. Since when do we do a Nazi-Germany kind of hearing?"

The AGC said the statement suggested that the court had acted unfairly, unilaterally, and in breach of legal principles, reported the NST.

It added that Shafee's remarks were not only disrespectful but also amounted to a serious interference with the administration of justice.

"The statements made by you clearly suggest that the Kuala Lumpur High Court acted unjustly and posed a real risk of undermining public confidence in the administration of justice," the notice read.

The AGC also accused Shafee of scandalising the judiciary by questioning the court's handling of Najib's case and casting aspersions on the impartiality of the judge involved.

Shafee had clarified to the media that the remark was made during an exchange with a reporter and was intended to educate the public, not undermine the judiciary. He also said the remark was made solely in the context of explaining the meaning and essence of a "judicial decision".

Najib has obtained leave from the Court of Appeal to begin judicial review proceedings to enforce a royal decree which allows him to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.

However, proceedings have been suspended pending the disposal of the A-G's appeal to the Federal Court, which will be heard next week. - June 27, 2025