KUALA LUMPUR (May 9): Former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he was using his phone as a mirror and did not take any selfies during court proceedings earlier today, after deputy public prosecutor Datuk V Sithambaram had brought up the issue after noon break.

Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah complained about an article published by theedgemarkets.com, and said it is false reporting.

“He had looked at himself because he felt something sharp, something against his eyebrow. He used it as a mirror,” Shafee said, going on to say that journalists should behave themselves if they want to be treated as the fourth or fifth estate.

Shafee then asked High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali to question his client on whether he did take pictures in court.

“Can I ask the accused whether he did or did not take a selfie?” asked Mohd Nazlan, to which Najib explained that he was using his phone as a mirror.

Mohd Nazlan accepted the explanation but went on to emphasise that any form of recording or photography is prohibited in the courtroom.

“I think it is known to most people. If it were true and the selfies were actually taken just now, which the accused has confirmed that he did not do it, it would have been bordering of being in contempt, especially during open court proceedings,” Mohd Nazlan said.

If it ever happens, the judge said the court may have to take stricter actions, such as requiring the surrender of mobile devices to the court police, while proceedings are ongoing, adding that the sanctity and integrity of the proceedings must always be respected.

“I don’t think it [the report] was done with malice, I’m sure. Maybe the way the phone was used as a mirror gave the impression that a selfie was being taken. I will leave it at that.

“Can we please call the next witness?” he said.

Najib was seen taking selfies while he was in the accused dock, while the defence lawyer was cross-examining Maybank Kuala Lumpur assistant branch manager Halijah Abdul Wahab.

The article was written after Najib pushed the phone camera shutter button, examined the picture taken, and brought it up and had a second shot before switching to the rear camera. He then sat up to take a photo of the courtroom from the dock.

The High Court had previously barred any uploading of court recordings on social media, after a clip of the trial was uploaded by Najib’s ex-aide Isham Jalil.