Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Ex-AG to have his day in court next April

 

Former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali is suing the government for unlawful termination and breach of contract. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has fixed a four-day trial from April 18 next year on the “unlawful sacking” and breach of contract suit filed by former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali against the government.

Lawyer Abdul Shukor Ahmad said the trial was inevitable as the government was not amenable to a mediation to settle the matter out of court.

“Dates have been fixed today for the trial to proceed,” he told FMT after virtual case management before deputy registrar Nor Shahadah Saari.

The court also instructed all parties to file their bundle of documents and identify the list of witnesses before the next case management on Nov 5.

Apandi filed the suit last September, seeking a declaration that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s termination of his services as attorney-general in 2018 was unlawful.

He is asking for RM2,233,599.36 in special, punitive and general damages to be assessed by the court.

Apandi, also a former judge, was appointed the attorney-general on July 27, 2015. His contract was to have ended on July 26, 2018.

He said the chief secretary to the government had informed him through a letter before the 14th general election that his tenure would be extended by three years.

However, in a letter dated June 5, 2018, the chief secretary informed him that the King had consented to the termination but did not furnish any document on the royal approval.

The government, in its defence, said Mahathir did not play any role in the termination of Apandi’s services.

It said any decision to terminate Apandi’s contract was carried out according to the law. - FMT

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