High Court to hear Anwar’s NSC suit on Feb 27

KUALA LUMPUR: A High Court has fixed Feb 27 next year to hear an application by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim challenging the constitutionality of the National Security Council (NSC) Act.

This was relayed by Anwar’s lawyer J. Leela to reporters after she met High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Justice Nordin Hassan in chambers.

A five-man bench chaired by Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum in the Federal Court had, on Nov 13, ordered the case to be remitted to the High Court for hearing of the merits after allowing Anwar’s appeal to reinstate his originating summons.

On Oct 14, 2016, the High Court threw out his application for leave on grounds that it had no jurisdiction to decide over the issue.

During yesterday’s proceedings, Leela said Justice Nordin ordered the government to file an affidavit in reply by Dec 21.

Senior Federal Counsel Mazlifah Ayob acted for the government and the NSC, which were named as the defendants in the lawsuit.

In the originating summons filed on Aug 2, 2016, Anwar had challenged the Act, which took effect on Aug 1, on grounds that it was unconstitutional.

Anwar is also seeking to invalidate the NSC Act in his bid to restore the power of the King on royal assent, saying that the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s approval is required for the passing of this security law.