May 2019 hearing on suit over tahfiz centre fire

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here yesterday set three days, from May 17 next year, to hear a suit filed by family members of 10 victims killed in a fire at of the Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah Centre last year and its three former students against the owners of the tahfiz centre and four others.

Lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaharil Muhayar, representing Mohd Zahid Mahmood and wife, Samsurini Mohd Anuwi, who are the owners of the tahfiz centre, informed reporters on the dates after the case came up for management before Judicial Commissioner Darryl Goon Siew Chye in chambers.

“We are still looking for avenues. Today was supposed to be for mediation, but I have to admit that it is not easy to settle. So, as the defendants, we applied for a full trial of the case which will be on May 17, 30 and 31 (next year).

“At the same time, we will look into avenues to settle the case. If it fails, the trial will be on the dates fixed. At the moment, mediation is still at a limbo,” he said, adding that the court set Dec 3 for further case management.

The plaintiffs filed the suit last June against the owners and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) for negligence which resulted in the heart-rending tragedy.

They also named the two teenagers who were charged with the murder of the 21 students and two teachers, who perished in the fire, as the defendant.

The plaintiffs are seeking, among others, declarations that the two owners and MAIWP had failed to ensure the safety of the victims and students at the centre and for all donations made to the fire victims to be given 100 per cent to them, while other donations obtained by the centre to be divided among the next-of-kin of all the students as the centre was not registered.

They are also seeking an injunction to stop the owners from withdrawing or spending the money that was donated by the public to the centre, as well as damages for injury and trauma.

The tahfiz centre fire tragedy in Kampung Datuk Keramat took place at 5.15 am on Sept 14 last year, resulting in the death of 21 students and two teachers. - Bernama