Zuraida's RM10m bond case: Federal Court to hear PKR's appeal bid on June 24
PUTRAJAYA, June 11 — The Federal Court will hear on June 24 an application by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to seek leave to appeal against a Court of Appeal's decision which reduced the bond payment to be made by the party's former vice-president, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, in a breach of party bond case.
PKR's lawyer, Navpreet Singh, when contacted, told Bernama that the hearing will proceed via online proceedings.
'A final case management was held before the Federal Court deputy registrar Husna Dzulkifly today, he said, adding that all parties have updated the court pertaining to compliance with pre-hearing directives relating to their submissions.
The case revolves around a civil suit filed by former PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, on behalf of the party, claiming that Zuraida, who was then the Ampang Member of Parliament, had breached the bond she had signed.
The terms of the bond, among others, required Zuraida to pay PKR RM10 million within seven days of winning an election on the PKR ticket, should she resign from the party, join another political party, or become an independent representative.
In June 2023, the High Court ruled in favour of the party and ordered Zuraida to pay the RM10 million, with the court finding the bond to be valid and enforceable.
However, in December last year, the Court of Appeal agreed with the High Court that there was a breach of bond but reduced the bond amount to RM100,000, citing that the RM10 million is not a reasonable amount of compensation. This prompted PKR to file a leave to appeal.
In her defence, Zuraida contended that she was forced to sign the bond with the party to be able to stand for election as a candidate in the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2018.
The Federal Court will now decide whether PKR can proceed with its appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision. In civil cases, litigants must obtain leave before they can proceed with their appeals in the Federal Court. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
28 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Wanita PKR urges crackdown on child grooming, slams social media pages promoting sexual harassment
KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Authorities in particular and society at large have been urged to take firm and prompt action in tackling the grooming and sexual harassment of children. Condemning the existence of social media pages that promote such elements, Wanita PKR called on the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry to take the necessary action. 'The authorities must ensure that children remain protected under the laws of the country,' said Wanita PKR in a Facebook post. Wanita PKR also urged parents and society to remain vigilant and protect children from sexual violence by monitoring the presence of such social media pages and offensive comments that violate the dignity of children, encouraging them to report to the authorities promptly. 'Wanita PKR also pledged to play a proactive role, including carrying out a series of advocacy and child protection literacy programmes within communities, aimed at raising public awareness to safeguard children and the wider community from sexual harassment,' it added. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
38 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Religious school warden gets 6 years' jail, whipping for sodomy, sexual assault
Khairi Fitri Baharom being escorted to the Seremban sessions court today. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A hostel warden at a religious boarding school was sentenced to six years' jail and two strokes of the rotan after pleading guilty to three of 15 charges of sexual assault, sodomy and unnatural intercourse against seven boys between 2023 and January this year. Seremban sessions court judge Surita Budin imposed the sentence on Khairi Fitri Baharom, 38, after the charges were read out separately, reported Bernama. The court also ordered the sentence to begin from the date of his arrest on May 25, and for him to undergo counselling sessions and police monitoring for a year after his release. Khairi was accused of committing sexual assault against a boy aged 12 years and four months at around 11pm between Dec 15 and 20, 2023, at a warden's room in the school in Jempol. He was also accused of sodomising the boy at around 10.30pm on Jan 7 this year and committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent with another boy aged 10 years, seven months at 5pm, between April and December 2024 at the same location. The sexual assault charge was under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), read together with Section 16(1) of the same act, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping if convicted. The sodomy and carnal intercourse charges were under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which provides for five to 20 years' imprisonment and whipping if convicted. Khairi, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a light sentence as he had to care for his mother. However, deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni asked for a sentence that was commensurate with the crime as the victims were children and the accused was responsible for their care and protection. Khairi pleaded not guilty to 12 other charges against the same victims and five other boys aged between eight and 12 years and nine months, allegedly committed between 2024 and Jan 24 this year at the same location and at a house in Jalan Air Melana, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. The charges are under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of Act 792 for sexual assault, and Section 377C of the Penal Code for carnal intercourse against the order of nature.
Free Malaysia Today
38 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MACC seized, forfeited RM31bil in assets over last 5 years, says Azam
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki speaking at the second MACC Accredited Law Enforcement Programme Convocation ceremony in Bangi today. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized RM3.54 billion and forfeited RM27.87 billion in assets over the last five years, says MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki. Speaking at an MACC event in Bangi today, Azam also said the anti-graft agency received 34,819 reports of alleged corruption and abuse of power between 2020 and April 2025. Of these, he said, 5,145 investigation papers were opened, with 5,703 individuals arrested, 2,479 prosecuted, and 1,274 convicted. 'We will not compromise with offenders, including MACC staff. Harsh action will be taken against any member (of the agency) found guilty,' he said at the second MACC Accredited Law Enforcement Programme Convocation ceremony. Azam noted that the post-pandemic era and global economic challenges have increased social pressures and opportunities for corruption. He also urged continued collaboration across all sectors, including government, academia, private industry, and civil society; and not only in enforcement but also in education, research, policy development, and technology. Azam said anti-corruption efforts must begin with instilling strong values from an early age both at home and in schools. He also said MACC had reduced the time taken to investigate high-profile cases from 18 months to just six. Azam credited the improvement to updated investigation procedures, enhanced officer training, and the use of advanced technology. He said that while multiple officers were previously needed for surveillance measures, advances in technology now allow MACC to locate suspects and witnesses much faster and with fewer resources.
