KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the federal government have insisted that their action to terminate the contract of Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali as attorney-general in 2018 is valid and in accordance with the provisions of the law, and requested that the court dismiss Apandi’s suit against them.
In a statement of defence filed yesterday, both defendants said there was no abuse of power by the first defendant, Dr Mahathir, regarding the termination of Apandi as AG and the termination of his contract as a legal officer.
Dr Mahathir and the government filed the statement of defence, which was signed by a senior federal counsel from the AG’s Chambers, in response to a RM2.2 million suit filed against them by Apandi.
The defendants said Apandi’s claim is without merit, and a misrepresentation of the law.
“Furthermore, there is nothing in the plaintiff’s pleading that constitutes the latter being given exemplary and/or punitive damages.
“We humbly ask that the plaintiff’s claims be dismissed with costs.”
The case was brought up for online management before high court deputy registrar Norhatini Abd Hamid today.
Lawyer Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu, representing Apandi, said the court has set December 3 for case management, for his client to file a response to the defendants’ statement of defence.
On October 13, Apandi filed a suit, naming Dr Mahathir and the government as the first and second defendants, respectively, seeking, among others, a declaration that his termination as AG is unlawful. – Bernama, November 13, 2020
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