KUALA LUMPUR – Former attorney-general (AG) Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali is seeking a correspondence between former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the government over his termination as AG to prove his suit against them.
His counsel, Datuk Abd Shukor Ahmad, told the high court here today that the documents related to the termination are not classified as official secrets.
“The documents are relevant to the case. They are in the possession of the defendants (Dr Mahathir and the government) and not classified as falling under official secrets.”
In an application filed on December 11 last year, Apandi as the plaintiff, among others, sought a court order to allow him to freely inspect and be provided with a copy of the documents or letters on the termination of his service.
He said the documents are in the possession, custody or within the power of both defendants, and should be given to him to prove his suit.
Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan, acting for the defendants in opposing the application, submitted that Apandi’s request is too vague.
He said there is a high possibility that the unidentified documents sought are classified, adding that the application is a waste of time.
“The documents sought are not relevant, not necessary and not sufficiently specified, and the unidentified documents requested have a high possibility of being classified as ‘rahsia’ under the Official Secrets Act 1972 and cannot be disclosed, hence the application is a waste time.”
The court fixed May 25 for a decision.
On October 13 last year, Apandi filed a suit naming Dr Mahathir and the government as the first and second defendants, respectively, seeking, among others, a declaration that his dismissal as AG made by the former prime minister was unlawful. – Bernama, March 29, 2021
