HIGH COURT AWARDS SITI KASIM AND CLIENT RM274,375 IN DAMAGES OVER UNLAWFUL RAID

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The High Court has awarded lawyer Siti Kasim and her client a total of RM274,375 in damages over an unlawful police raid on the activist’s residence in June 2018.

Judicial Commissioner Arziah Mohamed Apandi granted the awards after allowing parts of a lawsuit filed in January 2021 by Siti Kasim—whose full name is Siti Zabedah Kasim—and Anis Nur Izzatty Ruslan against 30 defendants, including the government and the Royal Malaysia Police.

In her judgment, JC Arziah ruled that the police raid was unlawful as officers failed to first contact the occupants.

The court ordered the government to pay RM120,625 in general damages to Siti Kasim and RM53,750 to Anis, in addition to awarding the plaintiffs joint exemplary damages of RM100,000. Costs of RM50,000 were also awarded.

"The first plaintiff (Siti Kasim), a lawyer, was arrested while performing her professional duties. The defendants' conduct demonstrates reckless indifference to the plaintiff's constitutional rights," she said.

Today's proceedings were led by federal counsel Anis Najwa Nazari, representing the defendants, while lawyer A Surendra Ananth acted for the plaintiffs.

In their suit, the plaintiffs stated that Anis had sought refuge at Siti Kasim’s home on June 21, 2018, due to family issues. She was staying at the house while Siti Kasim was attending a conference.

According to their statement of claim, nine plainclothes police officers forcibly entered the premises by breaking through the grille and main door.

The plaintiffs further claimed that the police then unlawfully removed Anis, who had hidden in a bathroom, and took her to Kajang police headquarters.

Upon learning of Anis's detention, Siti Kasim went to the Kajang police headquarters on June 23, 2018.

She claimed she was denied access to her client and, at around 11 pm that same day, was herself detained on allegations of kidnapping Anis and obstructing the police. 

--BERNAMA