Zuraida’s damages for breaching PKR bond slashed from RM10mil to RM100,000

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has slashed Zuraida Kamaruddin’s liability to PKR for breaching a party bond she signed seven years ago from RM10 million to RM100,000.

Justice See Mee Chun, who chaired a three-judge panel, said the former PKR vice-president had violated the terms of the bond but ruled that the RM10 million damages she was ordered to pay was “exorbitant”.

“It is not reasonable for her to bear the RM10 million single-handedly.

“The party is entitled to damages, but not (in an amount of) RM10 million,” she said, noting that 10 other MPs also resigned from the party at the same time four years ago.

Also on the panel hearing the appeal were Justices Azman Abdullah and Ahmad Kamal Shahid.

The court also awarded PKR RM40,000 in costs.

PKR filed its lawsuit against Zuraida in 2020, claiming that she had breached the contractual bond by joining Bersatu, following the Sheraton Move, in February 2020.

The party said it was entitled to recover compensation under Section 71 of the Contracts Act 1950 for benefits Zuraida enjoyed as the MP for Ampang MP by being appointed minister.

In her defence, Zuraida alleged that the bond was unconstitutional, adding that PKR could not enforce its terms as they breached her freedom of association guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

Last year, the High Court ruled she was liable for breaching the bond, and ordered her to pay the RM10 million sum as stipulated in the document, giving rise to the present appeal.

PKR was represented by lawyers Navpreet Singh, William Leong and Chiew Choon Man while Azhar Harun appeared for Zuraida.

Zuraida, who was present during the proceeding, later told reporters that she accepted the court’s decision.

“I treat it as a donation to the party,” she said, adding sarcastically that she will pay in RM1 notes.