The civil court has ordered former PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin to pay RM10 million to the ruling party for defecting after clinching the Ampang seat for the third time in the 14th general election.
The High Court in Kuala Lumpur this morning allowed PKR’s RM10 million bond lawsuit against the former minister, who lost the parliamentary seat to her former party colleague Rodziah Ismail during the GE15 last year.
The party’s counsel, Navpreet Singh, confirmed the verdict that civil court judge Akhtar Tahir delivered during the online proceedings.
“The court allowed the plaintiff’s (PKR) claim seeking for the defendant to pay the party RM10 million under the bond.
“The court found the bond to be a valid and binding contract. The court was of the view that the RM10 million was not disproportionate but a reasonable sum to act as a deterrence to party members from acting against the party’s interests; and that any less sum would not be a deterrence.
“Cost of RM50,000 was also awarded in favour of the plaintiff,” Navpreet told reporters.
The lawyer added that once the sealed court order is issued, then PKR will demand that Zuraida (above) pay the sum straight away.
When contacted, Zuraida’s counsel Nizamuddin Abdul Hamid said they would appeal to the Court of Appeal against today’s verdict.
The lawyer added that they would also file an application at the High Court to stay the decision, pending disposal of the appeal.
During the trial on March 29, PKR secretary-general and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail testified that Zuraida won the Ampang seat due to contesting under the party banner rather than the strength of her character.
On March 30, Zuraida testified that she did not know the details of the RM10 million bond as she was allegedly forced to sign it prior to contesting.
Zuraida, along with 11 other MPs led by former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, left the party in February 2020 to support Bersatu, Umno-BN and GPS in forming Perikatan Nasional.
This formed part of the Sheraton Move that led to the downfall of the then-Pakatan Harapan administration.
In September of that same year before the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, PKR filed the civil action to demand RM10 million over her leaving the party.
From political parties to NGO
In May last year, Zuraida left Bersatu to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM). In December last year, she and 10 other PBM members were sacked amid a leadership struggle with incumbent president Larry Sng.
Earlier this year, Zuraida was selected as deputy president of NGO Muafakat Nasional.
In GE15, PKR's Rodziah Ismail won Ampang with a 29,681 majority, defeating Zuraida (PBM), Ivone Low (MCA), Sasha Lyna (PN), Dr Nurul Ashikin (Pejuang), and Bryan Lai (Warisan), as well as three independents.
Zuraida was housing and local government minister from 2018 to 2021 and then plantation industries and commodities minister from 2021 to last year. - Mkini
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