AGC objects to Zuraida's bid for judicial review over PBM presidency

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has objected to Zuraida Kamaruddin’s application for leave to initiate a judicial review against the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to seek a declaration that she is the rightful president of Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).
 
Federal counsel M Kogilambigai, in her submission, told the High Court that the dispute in PBM was an internal matter for the parties to resolve.

"The court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter due to the ouster clause under Section 18C in the Societies Act 1966," she said.

Zuraida’s counsel, Mohamed Ashmeer Ashrof, argued that the dispute had been settled and a notice sent to RoS in October last year.

"However, the RoS did not recognise her as the party president," he said.

After hearing submissions from both parties, judge Amarjeet Singh fixed May 11 for further clarification and to deliver his decision on the AGC’s objection.

Zuraida filed the application on March 24, naming the RoS as the sole respondent. She sought a declaration that the RoS’ action to retain Larry Sng Wei Shen as the PBM president was unlawful, and a mandamus order to compel the RoS to recognise her as the rightful president effective Oct 7, 2022.

The former Ampang MP, in her supporting affidavit, said she received a letter from PBM on Oct 27, 2022, informing her about her appointment as PBM president.

However, Zuraida said she received a letter from the party dated Dec 19 of the same year, in which Sng declared himself as the PBM president and suspended her membership. 

The former plantation industries and commodities minister said she learnt of her sacking from PBM through The Star news portal on Dec 27, 2022, but never received any notice, letter or information from the party about it.