KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- The simultaneous presence of three former prime ministers at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex for separate proceedings today marked an unprecedented moment in Malaysian news coverage.
Veteran court reporter V. Anbalagan of Free Malaysia Today described it as a unique event unlike anything he had witnessed during his journalism career.
“This is a day in history. Never before have three former prime ministers been at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex at the same time. For me, every journalist covering today’s proceedings is part of history,” he said.
Anbalagan said that to see three former premiers attending proceedings at the same court complex on the same day was extraordinary, not only in Malaysia but likely elsewhere.
“I think an incident like this, with three former prime ministers in the same court complex at the same time, may never happen again. It is a record that will be difficult to break,” he said.
Bernama TV news officer Siti Zanariah Nor Zin said she was excited to have witnessed the rare event firsthand.
“In my 16 years as a journalist, this is an extremely rare situation and, as far as I know, the first of its kind in Malaysian media coverage.
“Thankfully, everything went smoothly. Their staggered arrivals, along with those of their lawyers, gave us enough time to send updates to headquarters.
“The controlled situation outside the court also allowed the media to monitor the movements of those involved throughout the proceedings,” she said.
Utusan Malaysia journalist Amirul Aiman Osman said the convergence of the three former leaders initially raised concerns that reporters might struggle to cover all the proceedings.
“Although it was quite hectic and crowded, tight security ensured there were no untoward incidents. I had been waiting here since 7 am for today’s proceedings,” he said.
The Jalan Duta court complex began bustling as early as 7 am as journalists gathered to cover separate proceedings involving Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Television crews, photographers and reporters filled the court grounds, awaiting the latest developments and reactions from the three former prime ministers.
A court official, who insisted on anonymity, said police personnel from the Sentul district police headquarters and court security officers were deployed to maintain order, with assistance from the Palace of Justice police.
“We made thorough preparations from yesterday afternoon to ensure the movements of the former prime ministers and security around the court complex proceeded smoothly without disruption,” he said.
The official said between three and six categories of security passes were issued for different groups, including the public, journalists attending open court proceedings and those accessing video-link rooms.
Security officer Nik Zainab Jusoh said the court grounds remained calm and orderly following preparations and a security briefing held yesterday.
“The briefing ensured all personnel were alert and prepared for the large turnout. Monitoring was focused on the upper floors, particularly outside the courtrooms, while the situation on the ground floor remained stable and orderly,” she said.
Najib was at the court for proceedings in a USD5.64 billion civil suit brought by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and its subsidiary against him and several others before Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus.
Muhyiddin, who faces seven charges, attended proceedings involving alleged abuse of power and money laundering linked to the Jana Wibawa programme before Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin, while Ismail Sabri was charged before Judge Suzana Hussin today with failing to declare assets, including RM14.7 million in cash, millions in various foreign currencies, as well as gold bars.
Ismail Sabri left the court complex at 11.43 am after posting RM300,000 bail with one surety.
“This is a day in history. Never before have three former prime ministers been at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex at the same time. For me, every journalist covering today’s proceedings is part of history,” he said.
Anbalagan said that to see three former premiers attending proceedings at the same court complex on the same day was extraordinary, not only in Malaysia but likely elsewhere.
“I think an incident like this, with three former prime ministers in the same court complex at the same time, may never happen again. It is a record that will be difficult to break,” he said.
Bernama TV news officer Siti Zanariah Nor Zin said she was excited to have witnessed the rare event firsthand.
“In my 16 years as a journalist, this is an extremely rare situation and, as far as I know, the first of its kind in Malaysian media coverage.
“Thankfully, everything went smoothly. Their staggered arrivals, along with those of their lawyers, gave us enough time to send updates to headquarters.
“The controlled situation outside the court also allowed the media to monitor the movements of those involved throughout the proceedings,” she said.
Utusan Malaysia journalist Amirul Aiman Osman said the convergence of the three former leaders initially raised concerns that reporters might struggle to cover all the proceedings.
“Although it was quite hectic and crowded, tight security ensured there were no untoward incidents. I had been waiting here since 7 am for today’s proceedings,” he said.
The Jalan Duta court complex began bustling as early as 7 am as journalists gathered to cover separate proceedings involving Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Television crews, photographers and reporters filled the court grounds, awaiting the latest developments and reactions from the three former prime ministers.
A court official, who insisted on anonymity, said police personnel from the Sentul district police headquarters and court security officers were deployed to maintain order, with assistance from the Palace of Justice police.
“We made thorough preparations from yesterday afternoon to ensure the movements of the former prime ministers and security around the court complex proceeded smoothly without disruption,” he said.
The official said between three and six categories of security passes were issued for different groups, including the public, journalists attending open court proceedings and those accessing video-link rooms.
Security officer Nik Zainab Jusoh said the court grounds remained calm and orderly following preparations and a security briefing held yesterday.
“The briefing ensured all personnel were alert and prepared for the large turnout. Monitoring was focused on the upper floors, particularly outside the courtrooms, while the situation on the ground floor remained stable and orderly,” she said.
Najib was at the court for proceedings in a USD5.64 billion civil suit brought by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and its subsidiary against him and several others before Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus.
Muhyiddin, who faces seven charges, attended proceedings involving alleged abuse of power and money laundering linked to the Jana Wibawa programme before Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin, while Ismail Sabri was charged before Judge Suzana Hussin today with failing to declare assets, including RM14.7 million in cash, millions in various foreign currencies, as well as gold bars.
Ismail Sabri left the court complex at 11.43 am after posting RM300,000 bail with one surety.