A SERIES of high-stakes legal proceedings involving prominent political figures and long-running civil disputes are expected to shape the judicial landscape this week, beginning with a pivotal decision in Kuala Lumpur today.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court is due to rule on the appeal filed by Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his son, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin, challenging the court’s earlier refusal to grant a stay of bankruptcy proceedings initiated by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
The case stems from their failure to settle tax arrears amounting to RM1.69 billion and RM37.6 million respectively.
Judicial Commissioner Suhendran Sockanathan @ Saheran Abdullah fixed the decision date after hearing submissions from counsel Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, representing Najib and Nazifuddin, while Senior Revenue Counsel Norhisham Ahmad appeared for LHDN.
The matter has a long legal trajectory. On 16 October 2023, the Federal Court affirmed that both father and son must pay the outstanding taxes, dismissing their bid to overturn the High Court’s ruling. Earlier, in September 2021, the Court of Appeal had rejected their challenge, before the Federal Court later granted leave for a final appeal in May 2022.
In Sabah, the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court will hear and decide an application involving Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who faces allegations of contempt of court.
The application was filed by businessman and whistleblower Albert Tei, who claims Hajiji had directed the Sabah Immigration Department to prevent him from entering the state.
Separately, case management is scheduled today to set an early hearing date for the compensation assessment involving Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd (SESB). On 24 June, the Court of Appeal ruled that SESB had no legal entitlement to the disputed land at Jalan Duta but was eligible for fair compensation.
The valuation will be based on the land’s worth in 1956, the year it was acquired by the government.
The land now hosts several major facilities including the Inland Revenue Board Complex, government offices, the National Hockey Stadium, the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia and the Federal Territory Mosque.
On Tuesday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court will hear a fresh application by former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin seeking the temporary release of his passport to travel overseas. His lawyer, Chetan Jethwani, confirmed that the request had been filed.
In May last year, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court permitted Muhyiddin to temporarily retrieve his passport so he could visit his sister, who was undergoing cancer treatment in Australia.
The week ahead is thus set for a crowded court calendar, with rulings and hearings that could carry significant political, administrative and legal implications. - November 17, 2025
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