Nizar files appeal, seeks 11-men bench


Delayed by the lack of written grounds of judgement from none other than Malaysia’s Court of Appeal- the nation’s second highest court - Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin finally filed an appeal against its decision to overturn an earlier declaration that he was at all material times the rightful chief minister of Perak.

His application will be heard by the Federal Court on July 9 and 10.

Since the Appeal Court judges have failed to furnish their written judgement although they previously promised to do so, Nizar said he would have to base his case on a five-minute oral judgement delivered on May 22.

Nizar’s Pakatan administration was toppled by Prime Minister Najib Razak, who hammered through an unpopular coup d’etat in February, plunging the state into indefinite economic and political turmoil.

Despite Najib bending federal institutions such as the police and the courts to stamp his political will on the Perak people, Nizar has refused to be cowed.

He and his colleagues have steadfastly maintained a barrage of legal suits against the new chief minister installed by Najib - Zambry Kadir.

Nizar’s appeal will be closely followed by the entire nation, who have sympathised with the Perak people and have been similarly disgusted by the underhanded tactics employed by the PM and his Umno party.

Whether the apex court will be left to decide independently without pressure from Najib remains to be seen.

But the decision it makes will have long lasting repercussions on the country, not only threatening the credibility of the country’s system, but more importantly the impact it leaves on voters and the way Malaysians feel about Umno and its BN coalition.

SK
19/06/09

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