1MDB: Jan 11 hearing on judicial review bid by Azmin, Umno man

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court yesterday set Jan 11 next year to hear the judicial review applications by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and an Umno life member, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, to challenge the classification of the AuditorGeneral’s Report on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) as official secret.

Judge Datuk Hanipah Farikullah set the date in chambers in the presence of senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan, lawyers Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla and N. Ganeson, representing Muhammad Zahid and Mohamed Azmin, respectively.

Mohamed Haniff Khatri, when met by reporters, said the judge fixed the date after finding the applications for the judicial review were over the same issue.

Meanwhile, Shamsul confirmed the matter.

Mohamed Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, filed the application last Aug 15 in which he named Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Auditor also General Tan Sri Amrin Buang and the Government of Malaysia as the first, second and third respondents, respectively.

In his application, Mohamed Azmin sought a declaration that the action by Najib in classifying the 1MDB Report as official secrets was an action in conflict of interest.

He also sought a declaration that the classification of the 1MDB Report as official secrets by the second respondent (Amrin) was unlawful and ultra vires the Federal Constitution, the Official Secrets Act and/or the Audit Act 1957. - Bernama