Home minister to answer assault suit

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has exhausted all legal avenues to stop a suit against him from being heard in court. 

The Federal court this morning dismissed the home minister's application for leave to appeal against the lower courts' decision that the suit should go to trial. 

The suit was filed by businessman Amir Bazli Abdullah against Ahmad Zahid for allegedly punching him in the face on Jan 16, 2006 at the Country Heights recreational club in Kajang, Selangor. 

Amir Bazli suffered a nasal bone fracture and a swollen eye. A five-man Court of Appeal bench led by judge Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif said the law was settled. 

"The High Court ruled that the case should go to trial and Court of Appeal is of the same view," the judge said. 

"Let this be tried in court and let the court make a finding. He will have avenues to appeal later." Md Raud then dismissed the application with RM5,000 cost.

Amir Bazli filed the suit on July 4, 2007.  

At that time, Ahmad Zahid was the then deputy information minister. 

In his statement of claim,  Amir Bazli  said at about 10pm on Jan 16, 2006, he was at a petrol station in Bangi when the defendant's agents approached him and threatened him. 

They took him forcefully to the Country Heights recreational club in Kajang. 

There, the plaintiff saw Ahmad Zahid with his son-in-law, Hisham and his son, identified only as KK. 

There were also others with them. He said the defendant then punched him in the face, fracturing his nose and causing his left eye to be swollen. 

Amir Bazli said the others also had assaulted him. 

He alleged the defendant had also threatened him by repeatedly saying: "You'll be buried". 

Hisham had also threatened to kill him. Amir Bazli alleged he was held in wrongful confinement at the defendant's home in Country Heights until 2am the next day. 

The businessman is now claiming special damages, general and aggravated damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court. 

Ahmad Zahid, however, denied the allegations and claimed that Amir Bazli had concocted the whole story. 

He said there was no threat and denied even touching the plaintiff. 

In turn, he filed a counter-claim against Amir Bazli claiming to have suffered humiliation and emotional trauma as a result of the accusation. 

The minister further alleged of libel within media reports of the incident. 

In Amir Bazli's affidavit in response, he said he Ahmad Zahid's daughter, Nurul Hidayah who was then a divorcee. 

They knew each other since September 2005 and were in a relationship. 

Amir Bazli claimed he was threatened and assaulted because the defendant claimed he had abducted his daughter. 

Ahmad Zahid had filed an application to strike out the suit against him but was dismissed by the High Court and Court of Appeal in April 2010 and March 2012, respectively. 

The case will now be tried at the Shah Alam High court on Aug 26 and 27. 

Counsel Datuk Shamsul Bahrai Ibrahim represented Ahmad Zahid, while lawyers Karpal Singh, Sangeet Kaur Deo and Gobind Singh Deo appeared for Amir Bazli. 

Speaking to reporters after proceedings today, Amir Bazli claimed he suffered permanent injuries to his head and has lost sight in his left eye. - June 27, 2013.