The re-hearing will be held on Dec 13
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin is seeking a review of the Federal Court’s decision that granted PKR leave to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling, which had reduced her liability under a party bond from RM10mil to RM100,000.
In a notice of motion filed last month, Zuraida made the application under Rule 137 of the Federal Court Rules 1995.
Lawyer Navpreet Singh, representing PKR, confirmed the development, explaining that Zuraida is requesting the leave granted to PKR be set aside and for a re-hearing of PKR’s motion to appeal in the Federal Court.
“The review hearing is scheduled for Dec 11,” he said, adding that the Federal Court has set Feb 13 for the main appeal by PKR.
The dispute dates back to 2020, when then-PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail initiated a lawsuit on behalf of the party, claiming Zuraida had breached a party bond she signed before contesting the 14th General Election in 2018.
Under the bond, Zuraida was required to pay RM10mil to PKR within seven days if she resigned from the party, joined another political party, or became an independent representative after being elected on a PKR ticket.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court initially ruled in favour of PKR on June 23, 2023, ordering Zuraida to pay RM10mil, citing the bond as a valid and binding contract.
The Court of Appeal later upheld that Zuraida had breached the bond but reduced the payment to RM100,000 on Dec 11 last year. PKR subsequently sought leave to appeal, which was granted by a three-judge panel on June 24.
Zuraida, in her defence, has maintained that she was compelled to sign the bond in order to contest the election under the PKR banner.
