PKR's suit against her is part of a campaign of vengeance against her for leaving the party, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin claimed in a court filing.
The minister alleged in her application to strike out the suit that the campaign of vengeance has the aim of punishing her for daring to exit PKR.
"The plaintiff's action in filing the action against me is part of a campaign of vengeance by PKR and specifically by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, with the intent to punish and/or exert extreme pressure and/or oppress me because I dared to leave the political party, and at the same time to utilise the court proceedings as an opportunity to among others get unjust enrichment to fill PKR's political funds in an invalid manner," Zuraida claimed in the affidavit in support of the striking-out bid.
The former PKR vice-president explained that as a result, PKR's suit against her amounted to an abuse of court process and hence should be struck out.
Zuraida also asserted that the lawsuit is not only baseless and unreasonable but that it would not succeed if subjected to a full court hearing because it violates her fundamental right to association per the Federal Constitution.
When contacted today, her counsel Nizamuddin Abdul Hamid confirmed that the striking-out application was filed on Jan 29.
He explained during online case management of the matter today, the Kuala Lumpur High Court directed PKR to file an affidavit in response to the striking-out bid by March 4.
"The court has fixed April 1 for further case management to fix a hearing date of the striking-out application," Nizamuddin said.
On Oct 2 last year, PKR filed the RM10 million lawsuit against Zuraida for defecting from the party.
The writ of summons listed PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution as acting on behalf of the party in the legal action.
Zuraida, along with 11 other MPs led by former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, left the party in February to support Bersatu, Umno-BN and GPS in forming Perikatan Nasional.
Following this, several assemblypersons in various states aligned to Azmin also quit PKR.
Before being fielded in the 2018 general election, all PKR lawmakers had signed a pledge agreeing to a fine RM10 million each if they defected from the party after being elected as an assemblyperson or MP.
Later on Dec 30 last year through the filing of her statement of defence, Zuraida contended that the RM10 million bond that PKR members signed prior to contesting in 14th general election (GE14) is invalid as the Federal Constitution safeguards the rights to join or leave political parties. - Mkini
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