Kuala lumpur: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has initiated legal proceedings against several former MPs and state assemblymen, accusing them of breaching a RM10 million bond after their departure from the party six years ago.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the lawsuits were filed by PKR through its secretary-general, Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh, via the law firm Nav and Co at the High Court. The filings occurred on February 19 and February 27, naming Baru Bian, Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, Datuk Mansor Othman, Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Datuk R Santhara Kumar, Abdul Yunus Jamhari, Datuk Azman Nasrudin, Dr Afif Bahardin, Chong Fat Full, Daroyah Alwi, Haniza Mohamed Talha, Muhammad Hilman Idham, Muhammad Jailani Khamis, Robert Ling Kui Ee, and Zulkifli Ibrahim as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that each defendant agreed under the bond's operative clause to remit RM10 million to PKR within seven days if they resigned from the party, joined another political entity, or assumed an independent representative role. PKR claims that these individuals were appointed as candidates for the party in the 14th general election (GE14), where they secured parliamentary and state assembly seats, contributing to the formation of the Federal Government and several state administrations.
However, on February 24, 2020, each defendant reportedly ceased their membership within PKR after being elected under its banner and subsequently supported a different political coalition, as detailed in the party's statement of claim. PKR further asserted that it terminated the defendants' memberships on March 11, 2020, with certificates issued on March 16, 2020, to confirm their expulsion.
PKR argues that these actions constituted a breach of the bond, triggering the requirement to pay the RM10 million within the stipulated timeframe. The party issued a formal demand for payment via a letter dated July 28, 2020, but claims the defendants have yet to fulfill the bond payment. PKR maintains that the bond serves as a protective mechanism against party risks.
The party is now seeking a court mandate for each defendant to pay the RM10 million bond alongside costs, interest, and any additional relief deemed suitable by the judiciary. The case management for the lawsuits is scheduled for March 17 and 27.