Latest news with #judicialreview
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Anwar, govt cleared as court strikes their names from Mukhriz Mahathir's RM5m tax challenge
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the government succeeded today in having their names removed from a judicial review application filed by Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. Mukhriz is challenging the Inland Revenue Board's (IRB) issuance of additional tax assessment notices for the years 2017 to 2019, demanding payment of over RM5 million. High Court Judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh allowed the application by Anwar, in his capacity as Finance Minister, and the government to strike out their names as respondents in the judicial review proceedings. However, the court dismissed their bid to expunge several paragraphs in Mukhriz's affidavit that made reference to both respondents, and fixed December 16 for the hearing of the substantive judicial review application. On January 2, Judge Amarjeet granted leave for Mukhriz to commence judicial review proceedings, having found that the case raised arguable grounds. Earlier, senior federal counsel Nur Irmawatie Daud, representing both the second and third respondents, argued that the additional assessment notices were issued by the first respondent, the Inland Revenue's chief executive officer or director-general. 'The judicial review application is scandalous, frivolous and an abuse of court process,' she submitted. However, Mukhriz's counsel, Syed Afiq Syed Albakri, contended that the second respondent had influenced the first respondent in the issuance of the said notices against his client. Mukhriz, 60, filed the judicial review application on December 20 last year, naming the IRB's CEO or Director-General, Anwar and the government as the first to third respondents respectively. The businessman sought an order to quash the decision of the first respondent to issue additional assessment notices for the years 2017 to 2019, amounting to RM5,020,707.18, on the grounds that the decision was unlawful and unreasonable. The Pejuang president also sought a declaration that the imposition of penalties under Section 113(2) of the Income Tax Act 1967 was null and void, as well as ultra vires. The former Kedah Menteri Besar further sought a declaration that the second respondent (Anwar) had abused his powers in causing the first respondent (the government) to issue the said notices. Finally, he sought a declaration that the second respondent had similarly abused his powers in directing the issuance of a certificate under subsection 104(1) of the Income Tax Act 1967. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Court removes Anwar, govt as parties in Mukhriz's tax bill suit
Mukhriz Mahathir is challenging notices issued by LHDN to him last year demanding that he pay RM5.02 million in tax arrears for 2017 to 2019. KUALA LUMPUR : The High Court has removed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the federal government from Mukhriz Mahathir's suit challenging a RM5.02 million tax arrears demand. Justice Amarjeet Singh allowed an application filed by Anwar, who also serves as finance minister, and the federal government to be excluded from the proceedings, leaving the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) as the sole respondent. The court also fixed Dec 16 to hear the judicial review application on an inter partes basis. Anwar and the federal government had argued that their inclusion in the suit amounted to an abuse of court process, noting that the dispute centred on Mukhriz's tax arrears from 2017 to 2019. LHDN issued notices to Mukhriz on Sept 27 last year, demanding that he pay RM2.56 million for 2017, RM2.44 million for 2018, and RM16,826.37 for 2019. However, the court today refused to strike out a statement by Mukhriz alleging that a long-standing feud between Anwar and Mukhriz's father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, might have contributed to the issuance of the notices. Mukhriz said that in 2023, Anwar made several adverse public statements about Mahathir, claiming that the former prime minister had enriched his children during his initial tenure in office. He claimed that the remarks were made to tarnish his father's credibility and as an act of revenge. A defamation suit brought by Mahathir against Anwar is ongoing in another High Court. Mukhriz alleges that LHDN miscalculated his tax liability. The former Kedah menteri besar wants the court to quash the notices issued to him for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 years of assessment. He secured leave to bring the judicial review proceedings in January this year. Mukhriz is represented by lawyer Syed Afiq Syed Albakri while senior federal counsel Nur Irmawatie Daud appeared for Anwar and the federal government.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
AGC objects to Ilham Tower's bid to challenge MACC seizure of Menara Ilham
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has objected to Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd's application for leave to initiate a judicial review against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the seizure of Menara Ilham. Senior Federal Counsel Nurhafizza Azizan informed the High Court of the objection during today's proceedings before Judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh. The court directed both parties to file written submissions by Aug 13, with any replies to be submitted by Aug 20. The hearing is set for Sept 18. Ilham Tower was represented by counsel Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar. It filed the ex-parte application through Messrs Raj & Sach on June 23. Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, widow of former finance minister the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, is listed as one of the company's directors. The other respondents named were MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki; senior officer Mohd Razi Rahhim @ Rahim; deputy public prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib; the Public Prosecutor; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; and the Government of Malaysia. The company is seeking a declaration that the seizure order or notice issued by the second respondent (Ahmad Akram), on June 4, 2025, under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, in relation to the seizure of Menara Ilham at Jalan Binjai, is unlawful and therefore null and void. It is also seeking a certiorari order to quash the seizure notice along with all related decisions or actions. In addition, a mandamus order is sought to compel the second respondent, or any officer, employee, agent, or person authorised by him, to cancel the said notice. The applicant further seeks a court order to stay the enforcement of the seizure notice and all related decisions or actions pending disposal of the judicial review leave application, as well as damages and costs. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Sept 18 hearing for Naimah's bid to quash MACC's Ilham Tower seizure
Naimah Khalid is challenging the second seizure of Ilham Tower by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. KUALA LUMPUR : The High Court has set Sept 18 to hear Naimah Khalid's bid to commence judicial review proceedings to challenge the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) second seizure of Ilham Tower. The hearing, scheduled for today, was postponed after senior federal counsel Nurhafizza Azizan informed Justice Amarjeet Singh that the attorney-general intended to object to the leave application. Naimah, the widow of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, was represented by senior lawyer Gurdial Singh Nijar. She is seeking to quash MACC's June 5 seizure notice, alleging that it constitutes an abuse of process, and accusing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of exerting undue influence over the matter. Her legal team previously described the second seizure – undertaken under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) – as 'pure harassment', noting that MACC had already seized the building in December 2023. Ilham Tower, owned by Daim's family, was initially seized under Section 38(1) of the MACC Act 2009. According to MACC, the deputy public prosecutor granted authorisation for the second seizure after concluding that it was linked to alleged offences under Section 4(1) of Amla – specifically, transactions designed to avoid reporting requirements. Naimah's action names several respondents including MACC investigating officer Rahi Rahhim @ Rahim, deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, MACC, and Anwar.
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Campaigners seek judicial review to save Queensbury Tunnel
Campaigners hoping to convert a disused railway tunnel into a cycleway are raising funds for a judicial review after the government ruled the scheme was too of the Queensbury Tunnel Society met Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood in a last-ditch attempt to reverse the decision, but were told the tunnel would be effectively sealed Tunnel closed in 1956 and was part of a line that linked Bradford and Halifax with a branch to Department for Transport (DfT) said: "This has been a difficult decision but ultimately, we have a responsibility to safety and delivering value for the taxpayer." A judicial review would see judges examine the lawfulness of the McWilliam, leader of the society, said: "We are talking about seven-and-a-half million pounds to permanently destroy the tunnel."Her (the minister's) reason is that there's a safety issue, which we don't accept."The only way to do it is to close the tunnel, which we don't accept."She said there isn't any money to restore the tunnel. We accept that, but there could be at some point in the future."The tunnel could just be left as it is, there is no urgency."She said the society needed to raise £6,500 initially to allow solicitors to prepare a submission to start the case for a judicial said: "If we progress through to a judicial review then it would cost a hell of a lot of money, around £60,000." The DfT said the continued deterioration of the Queensbury Tunnel meant National Highways had been instructed to carry out works to maintain public absence of local funding to develop it as a transport link was also a factor in the decision-making process, a spokesperson said. Re-use of the tunnel as a greenway was first proposed as a Tour de France legacy scheme in 2014 after the Grand Départ of the world-famous cycle race was held in Highways inherited the tunnel after the privatisation of British Rail and abandonment would reduce its 2018 and 2021 it spent £7.2m on strengthening the tunnel, saying the work would "prevent further uncontrolled collapses, ensuring that any future plans for the re-use of the structure can be realised".But it started filling the 1.4-mile (2.25km) tunnel with gravel in 2021 to prevent collapse. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
