KUALA LUMPUR – The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is being sued after revoking its permission to use a community hall as Gombak MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s parliamentary service centre.
In a suit filed on October 8, documents named the Pakatan Harapan-led (PH) Selangor government’s allegiance as a possible cause for the “eviction”, and other factors, seeking RM1,052,000 in damages from MPAJ.
Azmin’s special officer Razali Ramly and the Gombak parliamentary constituency service centre were named as plaintiffs.
According to the statement of claim, Razali stated MPAJ issued a letter on June 12, 2020, granting permission to the plaintiffs to continue using Community Hall AU1A in Taman Keramat Permai as a service centre for the Gombak parliamentary constituency.
The hall has been used as a service centre since 2018.
“Based on the permission to use the premises granted by the defendant, the plaintiffs proceeded to upgrade the hall.
“The cost to upgrade the hall exceeded RM52,000 and was borne by the plaintiffs via allocations provided by Azmin,” the statement of claim read.
Then, less than a month later, Razali said MPAJ issued another letter stating that the permission to use the premises had been revoked.
An appeal was made on July 14, 2020, however, Razali said there was no response from MPAJ.
The plaintiffs asserted that MPAJ’s decision is unfair, rash and baseless, especially given that on February 17, 2021, they were given another letter demanding eviction within seven days from February 24.
They said the service centre, which serves as a community centre for residents in the Gombak federal constituency, is an abandoned hall.
It added that during the plaintiffs’ use of the hall, the service centre also served as a food bank during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The welfare programmes that run in the premises of the service centre allow residents in the Gombak constituency to meet with their representative, Azmin Ali, who also serves as minister for international trade and industry, to voice their complaints and seek assistance.
“It is peculiar for the defendant to suddenly revoke permission and seek eviction without reasonable cause.”
Both plaintiffs contend that the eviction notice was issued pursuant to orders from the Selangor government.
They claimed the eviction is probably due to the fact that Azmin no longer supports the PH government in Selangor.
“On February 24, 2020, Azmin as Gombak’s parliamentarian withdrew from Pakatan Harapan and pledged support to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as eighth prime minister, and was appointed minister until this date.
“Thus, it is clear MPAJ has mala fide intentions against the plaintiff where the defendants have intentionally intimidated the plaintiffs to suddenly empty the premises of the service centre,” the statement of claim said.
Razali said the plaintiffs suffer emotional and mental pressure due to the actions of MPAJ, and are seeking damages. – The Vibes, November 7, 2021
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