BN MPs from Kelantan want suits against defection heard in KL, says lawyer

(From left) Mustapa Mohamed, Hamzah Zainuddin and Ikmal Hisham Abu Aziz.

KUALA LUMPUR: Two former MPs who are facing suits by Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) for alleged breach of contract have filed applications to transfer their cases from the High Court in Kota Bharu to Kuala Lumpur due to forum convenience.

Lawyer Ashok Kandiah, who is representing Mustapa Mohamed (Jeli) and Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), said the duo filed their applications at the High Court in Kota Bharu on Monday.

“They want their matters to be heard in Kuala Lumpur due to forum convenience. Umno, BN headquarters, Parliament and all the parties are here in KL to attend proceedings,” he said.

Ashok, who is also appearing for Hamzah Zainuddin (Larut MP) in a similar suit, said Umno has filed the action against him in Kuala Lumpur.

“The claims by Umno and BN against the three are identical and it is best the matter be heard and disposed of by a single judge,” he told FMT.

The cases involving Mustapa and Hisham have been fixed for case management before judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh on Sept 9.

The suits were filed on Aug 13, with Umno and BN office bearers Mohd Sumali Reduan and Abu Khamis being the plaintiffs against the three who are ex-party members.

The plaintiffs want the three, who are currently PPBM members, to pay a total of RM600,000 in damages.

Mustapa left Umno on Sept 18, 2018 and joined PPBM, a member of Pakatan Harapan, on Oct 26 the same year.

Hamzah and Ikmal joined PPBM on Feb 12. They left Umno on Dec 14, 2018.

Mustapa and Hamzah were also former Cabinet members under the previous BN government.

The plaintiffs, in their statement of claim, said that Umno approved their membership applications and there exists a contractual relationship between them.

Umno also said that they had given RM200,000 each to Mustapa, Hamzah and Ikmal to spend in the last general election.

“Umno also allowed both of them to use the party’s machinery during the election campaign,” the party added.

Umno claimed that voters under the Jeli, Larut and Tanah Merah constituencies had lost confidence in the party as a result of their defection.

Umno is seeking general and aggravated damages from all three as well as a court declaration that they had breached their contract with the party. - FMT