SEREMBAN: Celebrity couple Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor and her husband Muhammad Haris Mohd Ismail have created a new storm following their appearance at the magistrate's court here on Thursday, after they were allegedly given VIP treatment within the court premises.
A complaint of what happened has been lodged with the Negeri Sembilan Bar Committee by disgruntled lawyers.
The complainants voiced unhappiness that both accused were allowed to enter the court premises in their vehicle while others had been barred to do so as part of the Covid 19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
"As far as we understand, vehicles that may enter/park at the court premises are the ones which belong to the staff, lawyers, police and prosecutors, and under certain exceptions members of the public (under situations such as disabilities).
"However, since the outbreak of Covid 19, only officers of the court, staff, police and prosecuting officers are allowed to enter the court premises with their vehicles.
"Others have to park on the opposite side of the road and walk across. Some of us carry heavy files and bags while crossing the busy road. Even members of the bar who are pregnant are not allowed to park within the court premises," it was stated in a letter to the Negeri Sembilan Bar cited by the NST.
The complainant pointed out that guards had even scolded members of the Bar when requests to enter the court premises were made.
"Yet out of respect for the court and this profession, we complied without any contest or feeling of discontent.
"However, that has changed this morning (yesterday) when both accused were allowed to enter the premises in an exclusive manner superseding even members of the Bar...we question both accused's positions under the law to allow such exclusivity.
"We believe that this act, which has been made public will bring a negative view not only to the Bar, but to the Courts as well," it was further stated in the letter of complaint.
The complainant also pointed out that the Court had discounted the gravity of their offences by providing such special treatment to both accused.
"It is our duty as legal practitioners to ensure the principle of law is upheld and not manipulated by persons of undeserved importance."
Neelofa and her husband had pleaded not guilty to violating Covid-19 SOPs while shopping for carpets in Nilai on May 2 amid the movement control order (MCO).
The 32-year-old entrepreneur was charged with failing to scan her details via the MySejahtera application, or manually registering her details, before entering the premises.
She was later released on RM5,000 bail.
Her husband who is better known as PU Riz, 26, was charged with the same offence, and an additional one for not wearing a face mask.
He was later released on RM10,000 bail. The case management is set for June 4.
On April 27, Neelofa was issued a compound for failing to practise physical distancing during her recent wedding ceremony and for breaching interstate travel regulations by taking part in activities not permitted by police.