KUALA LUMPUR (June 30): Former Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam has been issued a formal notice of show cause for contempt of court by Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah for using the word “stupid” against a police officer of the court. 

Lokman, who was seated in the public gallery during Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial, was allegedly using his mobile phone during proceedings on Thursday morning (June 30). 

After a short mid-morning break in the proceedings where Zahid was subjected to cross-examination, Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran informed Justice Sequerah of what happened and moved to cite Lokman for contempt. 

“My Lord, I was informed by the court police officer that there was a person who was playing with his handphone during proceedings. The policeman said that person retaliated and called him stupid. Lokman was identified. That kind of rude and insolent behaviour cannot be tolerated. I move to cite him for contempt,” she told the judge.

Lokman then got up in the public gallery to explain to the judge that he called the law of not allowing phones in the court “stupid” and not the police officer. 

Justice Sequerah then reprimanded him: “What do you say about insulting a policeman? I’m issuing you a show cause. Do you wish to engage a lawyer?"

Lokman then said he had proof of what he said. However, Justice Sequerah persisted in moving to issue the show cause. 

“All the same, the accusation is that you abused a police officer. I’m issuing you a show cause. Do you want to engage a lawyer?” the judge asked again. 

Under Order 52, Rule 2B of the Rules of Court 2012, in all other cases of contempt of court, a formal notice to show cause why a person should not be committed to the prison or fined shall be served personally to the said person. 

Raja Rozela did not agree with proceedings to be conducted afterwards and urged Justice Sequerah to move to issue the show cause and for contempt proceedings to start immediately as Lokman also called the law “stupid”.

“I think we should do it instantly and cite him for contempt as he has rudely said even this law is stupid. That’s another reason for contempt. He said it outrightly,” she told Justice Sequerah. 

Zahid’s lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal then stepped in as an “amicus curiae” or impartial adviser to the court to say that Lokman should be given time to engage a lawyer before contempt proceedings. 

Justice Sequerah agreed with Zaidi, saying: “If he wants counsel, we allow him that right. We will fix a date [for contempt proceedings]. This is contempt committed in the face of the court for abusing a servant in his duty. And, secondly, he’s even called the system unfair. It’s these two counts [that he is being cited for contempt]."

Justice Sequerah then advised Lokman to get a lawyer and set next Monday (July 4) for the contempt proceedings. 

“We will issue the notice to appear on Monday. All the same, the court views this conduct seriously. On Monday at 9.30am, please come with a lawyer,” the judge advised Lokman. 

Proceedings continued with Zahid on the stand in his defence in his trial where he is charged with 47 charges, including 12 counts of criminal breach of trust in relation to his charitable foundation Yayasan Akalbudi’s funds, 27 counts of money laundering, and eight counts of bribery charges over said funds.