Muhammad Shafee gets injunction to stop Bar from discussing conduct

Lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah on Friday succeeded in preventing the Malaysian Bar from initiating a motion on his conduct over the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sodomy appeal at its annual general meeting (AGM) tomorrow (Saturday).

High Court Judge Datuk Asmabi Mohamad granted Muhammad Shafee's ex-parte interim injunction restraining the Malaysian Bar or its president, Christopher Leong or through their agents from allowing the motion to be put, discussed or adopted during the AGM or discussing on any matter relating to Muhammad Shafee's conduct in Anwar's criminal appeal in the Court of Appeal and Federal Court on March 14, or at any other date thereafter.

The judge also allowed Muhammad Shafee ex-parte interim injunction restraining lawyer Tommy Thomas and former Court of Appeal Judge Tan Sri V.C. George or through their agents from moving a motion titled 'Motion against Shafee Abdullah dated Feb 28, 2015' or substantively similar motion in the upcoming 69th AGM of the Malaysian Bar on March 14, or at any other later date.

Asmabi made the orders after hearing submissions from counsel Datuk Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin and Hasnal Rezua Merican who represented Muhammad Shafee.

The court set March 27 to hear the inter-parte injunction.

Muhammad Shafee was appointed by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail by fiat (authorisation) under Section 376 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution to conduct the appeal at the Court of Appeal and Federal Court.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Bar vice-president Steven Thiru when asked on the motion tomorrow, said the bar could not officially comment on the matter to be heard before the house, as it was essentially an internal meeting.