KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam narrowly escaped a prison sentence today for uttering the word "stupid" inside a courtroom two months ago.
High Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah gave him a final warning following his unreserved apology to the court.
Earlier, Sequerah ruled that Lokman had committed contempt of court for uttering the word during Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial at the same court on June 30.
"In light of the unreserved apology tendered to this court, a final warning is issued so this incident does not repeat itself here.
"The court excuses the contemnor and no further action will be taken against him," he said.
Earlier, Lokman, when asked to explain himself, said he uttered the word "stupid" as he was told that he was not allowed to use his handphone in the courtroom by a policeman.
"I told the policeman that I was taking notes (of the proceedings) and my phone was in flight-mode.
"However, he (policeman) said I was not allowed to do so even though I saw several people in the public gallery were using their laptop.
"I said 'stupid' to express my dissatisfaction of the situation and it was not meant for any individual," he said.
It was reported that Sequerah had issued a show-cause notice on Lokman for his alleged contempt towards a policeman in the courtroom during the hearing of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's corruption trial on June 30.
This happened after a deputy public prosecutor related the incident to Sequerah and pointed out that such rude and insolent behaviour in court should not be tolerated.
The judge issued the show-cause notice on Lokman after confirming he was present in the courtroom and ordered the latter to explain why he should not be immediately cited for contempt of court.
This is not the first time that Lokman has found himself having to defend against allegations of having committed contempt of court.
Previously on July 15, 2021, Sequerah also found him guilty of contempt of court due to his actions in September 2019.
Lokman was alleged to have threatened a prosecution witness in Datuk Seri Najib Razak's trial involving the misappropriation of over RM2 billion of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds.
Sequerah had then sentenced Lokman to a month's jail but allowed the sentence to be stayed pending Lokman's appeal to the Court of Appeal.
