Kota Kinabalu: The Sessions Court on Wednesday ruled that former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal's (pic) remarks on the Zara Qairina Mahathir inquest amounted to serious contempt of court.
Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan said Shafie's speech had "jumped the gun" by declaring the case as murder before the court had concluded its inquiry and had struck at the integrity of the administration of justice.
He said the court had viewed the full recording of the speech and found the remarks could not be protected under the guise of free speech.
Although Shafie's clean record was considered, Amir said the maximum fine would be inadequate, particularly as no apology had been offered.
He said the five-week jail sentence was intended to deter similar conduct and remind the public to refrain from commenting on matters still before the courts.
