Latest news with #MuhyiddinYassin
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Bersatu didn't pay bureau chiefs, Muhyiddin's ex-aide tells court
Marzuki Mohamad, a former principal private secretary to party president Muhyiddin Yassin, said no payments were made to lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla when he headed Bersatu's legal and constitutional bureau in the party's early years. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Bersatu did not pay individuals who led its internal bureaus, including its former legal head Haniff Khatri Abdulla, the High Court heard today. Marzuki Mohamad, a former principal private secretary to party president Muhyiddin Yassin, said no payments were made to Haniff during the time he headed Bersatu's legal and constitutional bureau in the party's early years because that was the practice then. 'Two other lawyers also offered their services voluntarily. It was standard practice not to offer remuneration,' said Marzuki, who now lectures at a university. He was testifying in a lawsuit filed by Haniff in 2021 to claim RM12.5 million in legal fees from Bersatu. Haniff also named Muhyiddin, deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and treasurer Salleh Bajuri as co-defendants. Haniff alleged that he had issued multiple invoices between January and March 2021, but received no response. Bersatu, in its defence, claimed that his services from 2016 to 2020 were offered pro bono. Marzuki also told the court he had drafted the party's constitution and had sought Haniff's feedback, but claimed Haniff never responded. Asked by Haniff's lawyer Nizamuddin Hamid whether he knew Haniff was never a party member, Marzuki said he never asked. When questioned about Haniff's invoices and reminders, Marzuki said he had not seen them and only learnt of the lawsuit through media reports. Justice Akhtar Tahir fixed Aug 25 for a decision after Bersatu's lawyer Chetan Jethwani confirmed that the defence had closed its case.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
I learned of RM12.5mil legal fees only after suit filed, Muhyiddin tells court
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin denied that he had met lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla in 2018 to discuss his legal fees. KUALA LUMPUR : Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin told the High Court here today he only came to know of lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla's claim for RM12.5 million in legal fees for services rendered when a civil suit was filed. Muhyiddin said he had 'presumed' Haniff's legal services rendered to Bersatu since the party's formation nine years ago were pro bono. He said Haniff may have sent an invoice and subsequent reminders to Bersatu between January and March 2021 for the RM12.5 million, but 'I did not receive them'. 'At that time, I was busy managing the country and dealing with the (Covid-19) pandemic,' he said, adding that party matters are managed by the office bearers, namely the secretary-general and executive secretary. Muhyiddin also acknowledged that Haniff represented Bersatu in several civil cases before the 2018 general election. To a question by Haniff's lawyer, Nizamuddin Hamid, on whether he or any other Bersatu leader had objected to Haniff representing the party in court, the former prime minister said no objections were raised. Nizamuddin: Haniff said you met him (in 2018) to discuss his legal fees. Did this meeting ever take place? Muhyiddin: It never happened. When Justice Akhtar Tahir asked Muhyiddin why Bersatu did not respond to Haniff's invoice, he said if the party had done so, it would appear as though it agreed that the legal fees needed to be paid. 'We thought his (Haniff) services were rendered pro bono. Suddenly, out of the blue, he issued a bill. 'We felt that we need not do anything, and let this court decide,' he said. Haniff filed his lawsuit in 2021, seeking to recover RM12.5 million in legal fees from Bersatu, which he named as the first defendant, for services rendered. He also named Muhyiddin, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and treasurer Salleh Bajuri as the co-defendants. He alleged that before filing the suit, he had issued an invoice to the party for services rendered but received no response. In its defence, Bersatu claimed that Haniff had provided his legal services on a pro bono basis from 2016 to 2020. The hearing continues on June 3.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Federal Court dismisses bid for leave to appeal HSR case
On Jan 1, 2021, Malaysia and Singapore announced the termination of the 350km high-speed rail project. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Federal Court today dismissed Hatta Sanuri's application for leave to appeal in his attempt to reinstate a lawsuit challenging the cancellation of the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project. A three-member bench comprising Justices Zabariah Yusof, Abu Bakar Jais and Hanipah Farikullah unanimously ruled that the legal questions posed failed to meet the threshold under Section 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. Delivering the court's decision, Zabariah held that the matter was interlocutory in nature and did not involve any novel legal issue or question of public importance. She noted that the issues raised, specifically those relating to locus standi and justiciability, had been conclusively settled in existing case law. She also said the court viewed frivolous legal claims with seriousness and observed that the questions of law submitted were verbose and lacked precision. 'If the questions were drafted well, then maybe we could ventilate,' said Zabariah in dismissing Hatta's application for leave, with no order as to costs. This decision brings to an end Hatta's legal challenge against the government, former prime ministers Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin, former economic affairs minister Mustapa Mohamed and former transport minister Wee Ka Siong. Hatta had sought leave to appeal the Court of Appeal's decision on Jan 16, 2024, which upheld the High Court's ruling that his suit was non-justiciable and disclosed no reasonable cause of action. Hatta filed the suit on his behalf and on behalf of over 32 million Malaysians allegedly affected by the cancellation of the project on Dec 30, 2022. In the statement of claim, he sought an order for the court to declare the cancellation of the project null and void, as well as for all the defendants to pay RM1 million in compensation to him and all Malaysians for wrongfully and negligently cancelling the HSR project. On Jan 1, 2021, Malaysia and Singapore announced the termination of the 350km project after the two countries failed to reach an agreement on changes proposed by Malaysia before the project agreement expired on Dec 31, 2020. The project was expected to provide direct travel between Malaysia and Singapore, with a travelling time of 90 minutes from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Hatta was represented by counsel Mohaji Selamat, while senior federal counsel Donald Joseph Franklin appeared on behalf of the government.
Malay Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Federal Court rejects leave to appeal over KL-Singapore HSR, ends Hatta Sanuri's legal challenge
PUTRAJAYA, May 27 — The Federal Court today dismissed Mohd Hatta Sanuri's application for leave to appeal in his bid to reinstate a lawsuit over the cancellation of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project. A three-member bench comprising Justices Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof, Datuk Abu Bakar Jais and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah unanimously ruled that the legal questions posed failed to meet the threshold under Section 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. Delivering the court's decision, Justice Zabariah held that the matter was interlocutory in nature and did not involve any novel legal issue or question of public importance. She noted that the issues raised, specifically those relating to locus standi and justiciability, have been conclusively settled in existing case law. Justice Zabariah further remarked that the court views frivolous legal claims with seriousness and observed that the questions of law submitted were verbose and lacked precision. 'If they (the questions) were drafted well, then maybe we could ventilate,' said Justice Zabariah in dismissing Mohd Hatta's application for leave, with no order as to cost. This decision effectively brings to an end Mohd Hatta's legal challenge against the government, former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and former Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. Mohd Hatta had sought leave to appeal the Court of Appeal's decision on January 16, 2024, which upheld the High Court's ruling that his suit was non-justiciable and disclosed no reasonable cause of action. The High Court had earlier struck out the suit on December 15, 2023, after allowing the government's application to dismiss the claim. Acting in person and purporting to represent over 32 million Malaysians, Mohd Hatta filed the suit in December 2022, seeking to nullify the cancellation of the project and demanding compensation of RM1 million for each Malaysian over its termination. The suit arose from the termination of the 350km HSR project, jointly announced by the governments of Malaysia and Singapore on January 1, 2021, following the parties' failure to reach an agreement on proposed modifications before the expiry of the bilateral agreement on December 31, 2020. The project had been envisioned to facilitate high-speed travel between the two countries within 90 minutes, inclusive of domestic and shuttle services. Mohd Hatta was represented by counsel Mohaji Selamat, while Senior Federal Counsel Donald Joseph Franklin appeared on behalf of the government. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Ex-VP Xavier not back with PKR, sec-gen confirms
Dr Xavier Jayakumar had in 2021 announced that he was quitting PKR, to support then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin as an independent. (X pic) PETALING JAYA : PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh has rubbished rumours that former vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar has returned to the party's fold. 'No,' she told FMT in a one-word reply when asked about Xavier's membership after pictures of him at the party's Johor Bahru congress made the rounds on social media, sparking speculation. Separately, a senior PKR leader, who did not wish to be named, said Xavier had applied for a 'special pass' to attend the congress. When contacted, Xavier said he had been 'invited' to the congress as a guest. 'I received an official invitation and I was there with other guests, like the ambassadors. 'It was good to be there,' he said, adding that he did not attend any of the meetings at the congress. Xavier said there is a lot of work ahead for PKR with the general election 'just around the corner'. 'As one of the pioneers of the party, I would like to see the Madani government re-elected which would allow Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to implement the 'reformasi' agenda that has been discussed for a long time.' Xavier had announced in 2021 that he was quitting PKR, which was then an opposition party, to support then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin as an independent. The former land, water and natural resources minister, who had been with PKR since 1998, said he had become 'extremely frustrated' following the events of the past year. His resignation came a month after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said it was investigating Xavier, following the arrest of his close associate, MA Tinagaran. In 2022, he joined Parti Bangsa Malaysia, but refused to disclose the reasons for doing so.
