Apandi’s suit against Mahathir, govt heads to trial as mediation fails

Mohamed Apandi Ali’s suit against former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the government will head to trial after the parties involved failed to resolve matters through mediation.

Apandi’s lawyer Abdul Shukor Ahmad, when contacted by reporters, said the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had said that the government did not agree to settling the suit.

“During today’s case management held online, judicial commissioner Latifah Mohd Tahar set April 18, 20, 21 and 22 next year as the trial dates, and further case management will be held on Nov 5.

“The plaintiff intends to present five witnesses, including Apandi,” he said.

Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan who represented the AGC, when contacted, confirmed the matter.

On July 6, Shukor said that Apandi was ready to settle his suit through the mediation process and had submitted the mediation form to the AGC through email on May 21.

In his statement of claim, Apandi, who was a Federal Court judge before being appointed as AG in 2015, sought among others a declaration that the first defendant had committed misfeasance and misconduct in public office and a declaration that the first defendant had caused and induced a breach of contract between him and the government.

He sought special damages in the sum of RM2,233,599.36, general damages, exemplary and/or punitive damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

The two defendants, in their statement of defence filed on Nov 12, said there was no abuse of power by Mahathir in the termination of Apandi as AG, as it was done in accordance with the provisions of the law.