Citing a source, Utusan Malaysia reported today that the application was filed on Dec 28 over an interview titled “Townhall for Justice: Keadilan Sebenarnya Untuk Siapa”, during which Isham reportedly commented on the trial and appeal of former prime minister Najib Razak’s 1MDB and SRC International cases.

In a Facebook post, Isham said he was unaware of the ex-parte application until he read about it in the news today.

Claiming that the government is not stable, he alleged that the ex-parte application was politically motivated and a “desperate attempt to maintain their power”.

“They will arrest and imprison more people for their political interests,” said the former Umno information chief.

“This time, it’s my turn. I will fight back.”

FMT has reached out to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for comment.

In its report, Utusan Malaysia said the application was mentioned before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah yesterday, but it was requested that Sequerah withdraw from hearing the contempt of court proceedings as Isham’s comments also touched on the judge’s involvement in Najib’s ongoing 1MDB trial.

Sequerah agreed to withdraw, and the contempt of court proceedings will be heard before a High Court judge to be decided later.

According to the affidavit which Utusan Malaysia said it sighted, Isham accused Sequerah of being biased in not withdrawing from hearing the 1MDB case.

Isham also purportedly questioned the legitimacy of Najib’s final appeal in the SRC International case at the Federal Court.

He also claimed that the trial judge for the SRC International case, Justice Nazlan Ghazali, now a Court of Appeal judge, acted in a biased manner when hearing the case.

In the affidavit, Isham also allegedly gave the impression that the panel of five judges in Najib’s SRC International case, led by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, had judged the appeal unfairly.

According to the affidavit, the statements made by Isham could undermine the public’s confidence in the judiciary and could be considered interference with the administration of justice.