UMNO files application to strike out Anina's suit

UMNO has filed an application to strike out an originating summons filed by former Langkawi Wanita UMNO member Anina Saaduddin to nullify Section 18C of the Societies Act which stated that a decision of a political party could not be taken to court.

It was filed by UMNO secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and the party's executive secretary, Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh, last June 21 on grounds that the suit did not disclose a reasonable cause of action against them.

The also claimed that the suit was scandalous, frivolous or vexatious and an abuse of the court process.

Anina had filed the originating summons last June 3 seeking a declaration that Section 18C of the Societies Act was null and void and a breach of Article 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution on fundamental liberties and equality before the law, respectively.

She named the Malaysian government, Tengku Adnan and Ab Rauf as the first, second and third defendant, respectively.

She is seeking a declaration that Clause 20.7 of the UMNO Constitution, which provides expulsion for members who take the party to court, is invalid as it is ultra vires of the Federal Constitution.

And as such, she claimed that her expulsion from UMNO was invalid. Lawyer Nor Hazira Abu Haiyan, representing Tengku Adnan and Ab Rauf, told reporters that the court had set July 15 for case management.