KUANTAN – The high court here today dismissed an application by Tras assemblyman Chow Yu Hui for a judicial review of the Pahang government’s directive to include the Jawi script on signboards in the state.
Judge Datuk Zainal Azman Ab Aziz ordered Chow, 37, to pay costs of RM5,000 each to the Raub District Council (MDR) and state government, named as respondents in his application.
In his judgment, Zainal Azman said there is no need for the court to intervene in the Jawi directive, effective January 1 this year, as it was decided by the state government in accordance with the correct procedures.
“This policy has been discussed and debated. The state executive council that convened on May 29, 2019 also agreed with the standardisation of the use of the Jawi script on signboards and advertisements in the state.
“If the court has to review all the decisions made in exco meetings, then there will be many policies brought here, even if they are made in accordance with the right procedures.
“In this regard, the court decides that there is no merit at this stage for the applicant to be granted permission.”
He rejected Chow’s argument that all instructions related to the use of Jawi are null and void as the directive has yet to be gazetted, based on the rep’s knowledge of the implementation of the policy.
Lawyer Chong Kar Yan represented Chow, while lawyers Datuk T. Anandan and Farah Nur Atiqah Bahari appeared for MDR, and senior federal counsel Noor Fadzila Ishak acted for the state administration.
Chow told Bernama that he respects the court’s decision, and will consult his lawyer on whether to file an appeal.
He filed his judicial review application on April 9. – Bernama, November 17, 2020
