“When Anwar came and became the PKR president after being granted full pardon from the prison, I found that the party had deviated from its cause.” — Zuraida
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin has claimed that the agreement she signed with PKR before the 2018 general election, which bonded her to the party, was unconstitutional as it violated her right to freedom of association.
Zuraida said this in her statement of defence in the lawsuit brought against her by PKR for allegedly violating the agreement when she left the party in February 2020.
The suit was filed by PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Sept 28, and High Court deputy registrar Norhatini Abd Hamid during case management on Dec 15 directed Zuraida to file her defence by today.
Zuraida, a former vice-president of PKR, also alleged in her defence statement that the party deviated from its original cause after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took over as its president.
Zuraida claimed that the path taken by Anwar, who is also the parliamentary Opposition Leader, prompted her to leave the party.
“When Anwar came and became the PKR president after being granted full pardon from the prison, I found that the party had deviated from its cause,” she said, adding that her former party was formed to ensure that the rights, powers and interests of Malaysians as a whole regardless of race would be safeguarded.
Stressing that Article 10 of the Federal Constitution provides for the right to freedom of association, Zuraida said it is the right of every citizen to choose and rationalise which party or party principles they want to support or adopt at a particular point of time.
She acknowledged that she signed the RM10 million bond agreement before contesting in the 14th general election (GE14), but insisted that voters chose her mainly based on her character and principles.
Victims of Anwar's alleged sexual misconduct to be called as witnesses
Zuraida said two witnesses, who claimed to be victims of Anwar’s alleged sexual misconduct, will be called in as defence witnesses in the trial.
The duo, Mohammed Yusoff Rawther and Aidil Azim Abu Adam, lodged separate police reports against Anwar in December 2019 and August this year.
“Yusoff made a statutory declaration and was interviewed by the police for several hours last year. Despite this, Anwar's lawyers in January this year indicated that they would not file any defamation action against the accuser.
“Aidil Azim also made a statutory declaration in August and subsequently lodged a police report against Anwar. I will call both Yusoff and Aidil Azim as witnesses to support what is alleged in this defence statement, and would produce documentary and electronic evidence in the trial for the public to see,” she said.
Zuraida claimed that the allegations of sexual misconduct against Anwar and questions surrounding the party president's pardon had resulted in PKR party members feeling uneasy. This, she added, resulted in many members, including herself, losing trust in Anwar and the party.
Zuraida, along with 10 other PKR Members of Parliament (MPs), left the party in February, resulting in the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government.
Zuraida, in her defence statement, said PKR’s move to file the suit was an act of revenge against her and gave the impression that she had violated the country's laws.
“It is clear that the action is directed to tarnish my reputation in the eyes of Malaysians and also to get funds to support PKR,” she added.