High Court Delivers ‘Janji DiTepati’ Judgement

Here’s an interesting news from High Court Shah Alam two days ago (Thursday). You can read the news report HERE (Credit: NST). I have highlighted the important points from YA Judge Datuk Yaacob Md Sam‘s decision:

1. The suit is by more than 2,000 single mothers against the Selangor government and the Menteri Besar.
2. It is for their (Selangor government and Menteri Besar) failure to pay them (single mothers) the allowance which was promised in the last general election (2008).
3. The promise was made in the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto

The plaintiffs led by Businesswoman Murtini Kasman filed the suit at the Shah Alam High Court civil registry through Messrs Kamarudin & Partners on 22nd November last year. There are 2,020 of them including Murtini and they are seeking for allowances amounting to RM10,908,000 promised to them in the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto. You can read the news report HERE.

The defendants filed the application to strike out the suit on Dec 12 last year on the grounds that the “manifesto was unenforceable” as it was not recognised by law, and that the plaintiffs had sued the wrong party. They claimed that PAS, DAP and PKR were not the Selangor government at the time when the manifesto was allegedly made during the 2008 general elections campaign period. [Read HERE].

The court HELD that:

The plaintiffs’ suit is based on the manifesto of the political parties which subsequently formed the state government. The plaintiffs had reasonable expectations and should be given the chance to pursue this action.

Judge Datuk Yaacob Md Sam dismissed defendants’ application after finding that there was basis in the plaintiffs’ claims and ordered the defendants to file their statements of defence within 30 days.

Well, I know the court has not decided on the main issue yet, i.e, whether the Defendants are liable for their promises in the last GE and whether they must pay the allowance to all the single mothers. It will go on trial and many parties would be interested with the outcome of this case. Still, the fact that the court is willing to consider the plaintiffs’ application and decided that there is basis for their claim is a very much welcomed decision. Especially, with the election just around the corner and those involve are already tossing their promises to the rakyat.

I hope politicians take note with the decision of the High Court. Stop giving out empty promises or janji tak ditepati just for the sake of power. Otherwise, we’ll see you in court.

- High Court Delivers ‘Janji DiTepati’ Judgement