Zuraida fails in bid to strike PKR suit, ordered to fork out RM5,000 allocator fee

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KUALA LUMPUR – Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin has failed to strike a suit filed by her former party PKR after the high court here ruled there are triable issues to be determined.

Additionally, Zuraida has been ordered to pay an allocator fee of RM5,000.

The decision made at the high court here today was presided over by judicial commissioner Datuk Sri Latifah Haji Mohd Tahar.

PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail filed the suit against Zuraida on September 28 last year to claim RM10 million for allegedly breaching a bond, which prevents the Ampang MP from leaving the party without paying a hefty compensation.

According to lawyer Muhammad Nizamuddin Hamid, who represents Zuraida, she had filed the application to strike the suit on January 29.

In rejecting Zuraida’s application, Latifah explained the plaintiff does indeed have cause of action and required the defendant to present evidence as to why she signed the bond in the first place.

“In order to deliver fair judgement, the court is of the opinion that it is unwise for the demands to be struck at this stage,” the ruling stated, adding that both parties are required to provide testimonies as to why the bond was implemented.

In the statement of claim made by the plaintiff, PKR claimed Zuraida agreed to pay the party a sum of RM10 million within seven days in the event of several possibilities after winning the election on the party’s ticket, which includes resigning from the party; joining other political parties; and becoming an independent elected representative.

The party claimed that on or around February 24, Zuraida, in a statement with 10 PKR MPs, announced her resignation from the party without stepping down as Ampang MP, and eventually formed a new bloc known as Perikatan Nasional.

PKR wants Zuraida to pay RM10 million in accordance with the terms of the bond, or, alternatively, RM12,049,459.20 under Section 71 of the Contracts Act 1950, with an interest of 5% on the amount to be determined by the court, as well as other costs and relief deemed fit by the court.– The Vibes, November 19, 2021