Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria has denied fleeing the courtroom when opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim launched a scathing attack on him and four other judges when the Federal Court upheld the latter's conviction.
"Whenever I feel it is not fair, I leave or adjourn the hearing to cool off the atmosphere. I 'bukan cabut' (did not flee)," he told reporters in Putrajaya.
The top judicial officer also said that he did not hear what the PKR de facto leader said.
Asked if he felt slighted by the comments, Arifin replied: "I have no personal (feelings) for anyone (in the dock). I do it (execute his duties) based on sincerity," he added.
To questions whether there would be committal proceedings against Anwar following his statement during mitigation, the chief justice claimed that he did not know.
"That is a different matter," he said.
Committal proceedings are normally instituted by the prosecution or lawyers and not the judiciary.
Prior to sentencing, Arifin and the judges vacated the courtroom when Anwar lambasted them from the dock, accusing them of colluding with their political masters.
Last Tuesday, the apex court dismissed the opposition leader’s appeal against his sodomy conviction.
Anwar has always maintained that the charge was fabricated by his political rivals, which the government has denied. - Mkini
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