Kota Kinabalu: The contempt of court involving Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal over his alleged remarks related to the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, would be heard on Feb 3, 2026.
Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan also ordered the prosecution to file their affidavit on or by Dec 26, to reply on or before Jan 9, 2026, and submissions for both parties on or before Jan 19, 2026.
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On Thursday’s proceedings, Shafie’s presence was dispense with but the court had advised whenever this case is set for hearing or mention, any application to dispense with attendance must first be directed to the court.
Shafie’s application for his presence to be dispense with was allowed since the prosecution did not object for the matter.
During the proceedings, counsel Chen Ket Chuin KC together with counsels Jakariya Ab Jalil and Batholomew Jingulam, who represented Shafie, informed the court that they had filed an application to strike out the committal proceedings on the Dec 15.
Chen also said they will also file an affidavit in support the application as well as to oppose the committal proceedings.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalan who together with DPP Christopher Enteri appeared for the prosecution, had confirmed the matter.
Chen also applied for the contempt case to be adjourned pending the disposal of the leave for judicial review (JR) filed by another party to challenge the ongoing inquest.
He told the court that the reason was that the decision on the JR application would affect the entire inquest proceedings and render them invalid.
However, Mohamad Mustaffa objected to the application in which the court also agreed with the prosecution, stating that the proceedings should continue.
“If there is any order by the High Court for me to stay the proceedings then I will abide. But as far as I am concerned, there is none at the moment. So we proceed accordingly,” said Amir.
Meanwhile, Che Muna Din, better known as Mona Din, pleaded guilty to the same offence and was sentenced to a maximum fine of RM300 in default 14 days’ jail.
The court meted out the fine after holding that the prosecution had proven a case of contempt against the contemnor beyond a reasonable doubt, as stipulated in the Statement under Order 52, Rule 3(2) of the Rules of Court 2012 and the supporting cause papers.
The sentence for contempt of court was derived from Section 99A and paragraph 26 of the Third Schedule to the Subordinate Courts Act 1948, which provides for a fine of up to RM300 or, a six-week term of jail.
Muna was defended by counsel Jul Hamri Jumhani.
