Court quashes bid to reinstate village chiefs
Humayun KabirPublished: Dec 1, 2009 4:43 PM | Updated: Dec 1, 2009 5:15 PM
The Ipoh High Court today said it would not interfere in the decision of the state executive powers.
The Ipoh High Court today said it would not interfere in the decision of the state executive powers.
The Ipoh High Court today said it would not interfere in the decision of the state executive powers.
Following this, it dismissed the application to reinstate 817 Pakatan Rakyat- appointed village chiefs who were terminated by the state Barisan Nasional government.
"The court is not the proper entity to look into the decisions of the executive," said judicial commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim.
Ridwan felt that the decision of the executive must be respected in the appointment of village heads.
He said that the appointment of village heads is conditional and they should anticipate being terminated when there is a change in the state government.
'Village heads' appointment political'
Ridwan said the appointment of village heads is political and when there is a change of guard, the new state government assumes the political power and has the right to appoint those deemed suitable for the posts.
On May 26, Mohd Ridzuan Asit, the former village chief of Kampung Sungai Ati in Padang Rengas, filed an application on behalf of 816 others to quash their sackings.
Besides seeking damages, Ridzuan, 43, also wanted a mandamus order to reinstate him and the other village chiefs as they were legitimately appointed through the process of elections.
Their term of office was to expire on July 1, 2010 but their services were terminated on April 16, 2009 by the BN state government without giving any reason.
The village heads were represented by counsels Chan Kok Keong, Leong Cheok Keng and Yunos Ali while state legal advisor Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid represented the BN state government.
Outside the court, Leong told the media that the legal team will appeal to the Court of Appeal after receiving instructions from their clients.
Following this, it dismissed the application to reinstate 817 Pakatan Rakyat- appointed village chiefs who were terminated by the state Barisan Nasional government.
"The court is not the proper entity to look into the decisions of the executive," said judicial commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim. Ridwan felt that the decision of the executive must be respected in the appointment of village heads.
He said that the appointment of village heads is conditional and they should anticipate being terminated when there is a change in the state government.
'Village heads' appointment political'
Ridwan said the appointment of village heads is political and when there is a change of guard, the new state government assumes the political power and has the right to appoint those deemed suitable for the posts.
On May 26, Mohd Ridzuan Asit, the former village chief of Kampung Sungai Ati in Padang Rengas, filed an application on behalf of 816 others to quash their sackings.
Besides seeking damages, Ridzuan, 43, also wanted a mandamus order to reinstate him and the other village chiefs as they were legitimately appointed through the process of elections.
Their term of office was to expire on July 1, 2010 but their services were terminated on April 16, 2009 by the BN state government without giving any reason.
The village heads were represented by counsels Chan Kok Keong, Leong Cheok Keng and Yunos Ali while state legal advisor Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid represented the BN state government.
Outside the court, Leong told the media that the legal team will appeal to the Court of Appeal after receiving instructions from their clients.
View Comments0