SEREMBAN: The ruling chiefs (Undang) of Negri Sembilan and three co-plaintiffs have requested court-annexed mediation in their dispute with the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) secretary and two others.
Lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, representing the Undang of Jelebu, said a formal request was submitted to the High Court on Monday (June 8).
"We are exploring the possibility of resolving the dispute amicably for the good of all those involved.
"It is our humble request that the judge can find time to undertake a court-annexed mediation between the parties, as the case needs to be resolved quickly.
"Letting this dispute drag on is not good for the state and the people," he said.
Mohd Khairul said an expedited mediation involving all parties could potentially settle the dispute amicably, rendering the scheduled July 28 court proceedings unnecessary.
He said if the mediation process takes place, all parties will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face and hold direct discussions to reach a consensus.
On May 5, Datuk Seri Mubarak Dohak and three other Undang filed an originating summons at the High Court here to compel the DKU secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin to provide them a copy of the minutes of a special session, which, among others, advised on Mubarak's removal as Undang of Sungei Ujong.
Mubarak, who is disputing his removal, along with the Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah and Undang of Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin, the Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri and Datuk Shahbandar Sungei Ujong Datuk Seri Utama Badarudin Abdul Khalid had named the
DKU and the state government are the second and third defendants, respectively.
On May 13, High Court judge Roz Mawar Rozain ordered the defendants to file affidavits within seven days in support of their challenge to the court’s jurisdiction.
The court issued the order after hearing preliminary objections raised by Raja Norazli and the DKU that the court lacks jurisdiction under Article 16(3) of the State Constitution 1959.
The court has fixed July 28 to hear the case.
