PUTRAJAYA: Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam was spared a prison sentence for a contempt of court charge of intimidating a witness in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial, after the Federal Court commuted it to a good behaviour bond.
In 2021, Lokman was sentenced to a month in jail after he was convicted of intimidating and threatening one of the key witnesses in the trial of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak involving the misappropriation of RM2.28 billion of 1MDB funds.
In today's (July 1) proceeding, a three-panel apex court judge led by Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan made the unanimous decision as Lokman had issued his unreserved apology to the court before a ruling was made.
"The appellant (Lokman) has tendered a full and unreserved apology, which fully indicates his remorse and repentance.
"He has gone on to undertake not to repeat such behaviour again.
"Having considered the remorse expressed by the appellant and coupled with the broad and extensive undertaking he has given not to repeat such behaviour again in the body of the apology, we are of the view that the sentence of imprisonment may not be the most appropriate punishment to mete out.
"We have also given consideration to the fact that the issuance of an apology in itself does not exonerate a contemnor in every case.
"However, it does have an impact on the sentence to be imposed," she said.
The other judges who presided were Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and Datuk Abu Bakar Jais.
Nallini said that intimidating witnesses, whether before or after they give evidence, undermined the administration of justice.
"This is because justice cannot be administered if witnesses do not come forward to testify.
"If they are scared to do so, then the wheels of the courts and the justice system would be adversely affected."
The committal proceeding was instituted against Lokman by former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas.
In the application to initiate the committal proceedings, Tommy alleged that Lokman had been in contempt of court on two occasions on Sept 25, 2019.
Tommy had sought an order that Lokman be committed to prison or fined for contempt.
Lokman had in a video interview uttered words implying a threat against Datuk Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin for having given evidence against Najib in the trial.
Amhari was the former special officer to Najib.