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Former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal could face up to five weeks behind bars after being found guilty of contempt of court over comments he made regarding the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
The Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president must now succeed in his appeal at the High Court to overturn the conviction, or risk serving the sentence.
Sessions Court judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan granted a stay of execution pending Shafie’s appeal after finding that the prosecution had successfully established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Shafie was convicted under Section 99A of the Subordinate Courts Act 1948, which carries a maximum penalty of six weeks’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM300.
The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutors Mustaffa P Kunyalam and Nadia Izhar, while Shafie was represented by lawyers Jakariya Ab Jalil and Chen Ket Chuin.
The legal action follows remarks made by Shafie last year, where he suggested that Zara’s death may not have been solely linked to bullying, but could have involved criminal elements.
Zara, 13, was found unconscious on the ground floor of the hostel at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar before she died the following day.
The inquest into her death began on Sept 3 last year and is scheduled to resume on Aug 24.
The inquest into her death began on 3 September last year and is scheduled to resume on 24 August.
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