THE DAY CAMERAS ENTERED THE COURTROOM, CAPTURING THE CHIEF JUSTICE’S FINAL SITTING

By Suriati Sidek Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- On his final day on the bench in 2008, after delivering a landmark judgment in a civil case at the Special Court set up to hear cases involving royalty, Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad created an unforgettable moment.

For the first time, he invited photographers into the courtroom, a symbolic gesture that opened the doors of justice to public view and marked a powerful affirmation of transparency at the close of his distinguished career.

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As a journalist covering the proceedings that day, I sensed the unusual significance of the moment when the Chief Justice invited photographers into the courtroom for the first time. It was clear that the occasion would be remembered as a notable point in judicial history.

The sound of camera shutters briefly interrupted the courtroom’s customary silence, underscoring the departure from long-standing practice.

In that moment, on Oct 15, 2008, I understood that I was not simply reporting a case, but documenting a subtle shift in judicial tradition, as photography during court proceedings had previously been prohibited.

Recalling the moment, it remains vivid in my mind when the Chief Justice said, “This Friday is my last day serving as Chief Justice. You may call the photographers waiting outside the courtroom to take photographs of my final sitting today.”

Following the invitation, policemen stationed in the courtroom called in the photographers, and they took about three minutes to capture what would become ‘once-in-a-lifetime images.

Today, the nation bids farewell to him. Tun Abdul Hamid passed away at the age of 83 at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM).

The passing of Tun Abdul Hamid, who served as Chief Justice from December 2007 until October 2008, is a significant loss felt deeply by Malaysia’s judiciary and the nation.

Sharing the historic moment, Mahayudin Mohamad, who was then a Bernama photographer at the Putrajaya Bureau, said he was extremely excited to be able to capture images inside a courtroom for the first time.

Mahayudin said he had been waiting outside the courtroom since early morning as the civil case was a high-profile one, and was surprised when court police suddenly called him into the courtroom.

“Earlier, around noon, Bernama court reporter Puan Suriati came out of the courtroom and informed us that the judge was close to delivering the decision and asked us to be ready to take photographs outside the courtroom.

“Shortly after that, court police came out and asked, ‘Who is the Bernama photographer? The Chief Justice has called you in — bring your camera!’ I was standing outside, stunned, and quickly grabbed my camera bag,” he said.

He said that upon entering the courtroom with the police escort, the Chief Justice asked him, “Are you the Bernama photographer?” to which he replied, “Yes, Your Honour,” before quickly taking photographs of the Chief Justice and the courtroom.

He said photographers from other media organisations were then also allowed to enter the courtroom to take photographs.

Meanwhile, Bernama senior court reporter Jocelyn Ann Dragon described Tun Abdul Hamid as a great jurist who stood firmly by his interpretation of constitutional principles.

“He was known for his thoughtful and, at times, candid views on legal and constitutional matters,” she said.

Sharing the same view, The Edge Malaysia associate editor Hafiz Yatim said Tun Abdul Hamid was not only a jurist but also a nationalist.

“In my view, the late Tun was a deeply religious person. Throughout his life, many of his judgments referred to matters of faith and Islam,” he said, adding that Tun Abdul Hamid was also humble and reserved by nature.

For Free Malaysia Today senior court reporter V. Anbalagan, Tun Abdul Hamid is remembered for the slogan ‘Buat Kerja’ during his brief tenure as Chief Justice, reflecting his emphasis on diligence among judges and court staff in serving the public.

More news to follow.

--BERNAMA