KUALA LUMPUR – Lawyer Syed Iskandar Syed Jaafar today said he is seeking legal action against his detractors after it was reported last Friday that he was “suing” the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Syed Iskandar told The Vibes that he intends to initiate criminal and civil action for damages, lodging false reports and criminal defamation as his originating summons on the Agong was to “merely seek clarification and guidance from the court”.
“I have never sued the Agong. If I wanted to, I would have filed a suit via a writ of summons, instead of an originating summons.
“Originating summons is not used to sue others. It is used to ask for declaration, seek guidance and to get an injunction.
“My aim is for the court to officially explain the powers of the Agong and prime minister as stated in the federal constitution by using the latest case, i.e. Agong’s refusal to adhere to the PM’s request for emergency rule, as an example.
“The Agong is not named as a defendant in the originating summons.”
Syed Iskandar has been heavily criticised after news of his originating summons filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court made headlines last Friday with many accusing him of suing the Agong for not heeding the advice of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to declare emergency.
Some of his detractors had lodged police reports against Syed Iskandar and the Malaysian Muslim Lawyers Association yesterday filed an application to be an intervenor.
“The court is the perfect avenue for a clarification on such matters. I am doing a solid to other future prime ministers so they are clear on their powers and the Agong’s.
“Society should not be manipulated by either those who are ignorant or those who fully understand the legal process but are simply manipulating the situation for their own self-interests,” said Syed Iskandar.
He also denied having close ties with any political parties and politicians, saying that whatever involvement he has with them is purely professional. – The Vibes, November 3, 2020
