PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has fixed July 16 to hear PKR's appeal against an appellate court decision reducing former Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin's bond payment from RM10mil to RM100,000 in a bond breach case.
The hearing date was set during case management before Federal Court senior assistant registrar Syahrul Md Sain on Wednesday (April 8).
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PKR's lawyer, Navpreet Singh, confirmed the date when contacted on Friday (April 10).
He added that all parties have been directed to file their written submissions by July 1. A final case management has also been scheduled for July 2 to update on pre-hearing compliance.
On Tuesday (April 7), the Federal Court dismissed Zuraida's application to review its earlier decision granting PKR leave to appeal the appellate court's ruling.
Zuraida was sued in 2020 by then PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on behalf of the party, claiming she had violated the terms of a bond signed before contesting in the 14th General Election in 2018.
ALSO READ: Apex court grants PKR leave to appeal in Zuraida's bond reduction case
Under the bond, among others, Zuraida was required to pay PKR RM10mil to the party within seven days if she resigned from PKR, joined another political party, or became an independent representative after being elected on the party’s ticket.
Earlier in 2020, Zuraida joined Bersatu following the Sheraton Move.
In her defence, Zuraida contended that she was forced to sign the bond to be able to stand for election as a candidate under the PKR banner.
ALSO READ: Zuraida seeks PKR bond review
On June 23, 2023, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled in favour of PKR and ordered Zuraida, the former Ampang MP, to pay RM10mil in accordance with the bond’s terms. The presiding judge, Justice Datuk Akhtar Tahir, held that the bond was a valid and binding contract.
On Dec 11, 2024, an appellate court three-member bench led by Justice Datuk See Mee Chun upheld the High Court’s ruling that Zuraida had breached the bond, but reduced the quantum payment from RM10 million to RM100,000.
On June 24 last year, the Federal Court granted PKR leave to appeal against the reduction. – Bernama
