Kota Kinabalu: The next course of action regarding Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s show-cause letter, issued over his remarks concerning the ongoing inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, is pending further direction from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
Conducting Officer Mohd Fairuz Johari informed Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan on Tuesday that Shafie had submitted his written reply to the show-cause notice on Sept 29.
“We have received his (Shafie’s) reply, and it is currently under the Attorney-General’s consideration. Any further action will depend on the instruction from the Attorney-General,” said Mohd Fairuz.
Shafie was served with the show-cause letter on Sept 22 by the AGC over remarks he allegedly made during a dinner event in Sandakan last month.
A video clip of the event, which has since gone viral, allegedly shows Shafie referring to Zara’s death as “murder.” The remark led to complaints from lawyers representing the teenagers involved in the inquest, who claimed the statement amounted to contempt of court.
The show-cause order was issued under Order 52 Rule 2(B) of the Rules of Court.
If Shafie’s explanation is accepted by the AGC, no further application for leave to initiate contempt proceedings will be made.
