The High Court in Kuala Lumpur denied leave for former Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin’s judicial review to be officially recognised as Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president.
Judge Amarjeet Singh dismissed the former minister’s judicial review leave application during open-court proceedings this morning.
Amarjeet said that the judiciary has no power to look into issues involving the affairs of a political party, in line with Section 18C of the Societies Act 1966.
“The courts are also bound by previous precedents set by the Court of Appeal,” the judge said and made no order as to costs.
Zuraida, who used to be from both PKR and Bersatu, sought to challenge the decision by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) late last year to recognise Julau MP Larry Sng as PBM president.
In March this year, Zuraida had gone to the civil court in a bid to reclaim the party’s top post, following a protracted power struggle that saw the ouster of her and 10 others from the party.
Back on April 12, the ROS raised an objection against the judicial review leave application, on reasons it was frivolous, vexatious and abuse of court process.
With today’s leave denied, the court would not be hearing the merits of the judicial review.
‘Invalid and unreasonable’
According to the cause papers, Zuraida was seeking several declarations, among them that the decision by the respondent - ROS - to maintain Sng as party president is invalid and unreasonable.
She also sought a mandamus order to compel ROS to register and acknowledge her as PBM president, to take effect from Oct 7 last year.
Among the former Ampang MP’s contentions were that ROS was negligent in not affirming her as PBM president, due to allegedly failing to consider a party letter dated Oct 15 last year that allegedly confirmed her as party president.
Zuraida left PKR for Bersatu in 2020 during the Sheraton Move that ushered in a change of administration from Pakatan Harapan to Perikatan Nasional.
However, in the middle of last year, she left Bersatu for PBM.
She also used to be a minister for two ministries, namely the Housing and Local Government Ministry between March 2020 and August 2021, and then the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry from August 2021 to November last year.
Counsel Mohamed Ashmeer Ashrof represented Zuraida, while senior federal counsel M Kogilambigai appeared for AGC during today’s proceedings. - Mkini
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