PETALING JAYA, July 23 ― The businessman at the centre of assault allegations against Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will renew his civil action against the home minister after alleging coercion in their out-of-court settlement a fortnight ago
On July 11, Amir Bazli Abdullah withdrew his suit against Ahmad Zahid (picture) after reportedly agreeing to mediation at the Shah Alam High Court. Ahmad Zahid also dropped his countersuit in response.
The minister and his accuser both met privately with arbitrator Rohani Ismail, who barred lawyers Datuk Shamsul Bahrain and Karpal Singh, respectively acting for Ahmad Zahid and Amir Bazli, from participating.
But Amir Bazli now contends the settlement was tainted by Ahmad Zahid’s attendance as a minister replete with police escort and an entourage, news portal The Malaysian Insider reported today.
“He felt intimidated,” Karpal was quoted as saying by the portal.
Karpal had two weeks also objected to being barred from the mediation session.
“I have insisted that in mediation cases, lawyers are allowed to be present. However, the Sessions judge continued not to allow us in,” the DAP chairman said then.
Both parties declined to reveal the terms of their settlement, saying only that they were both satisfied with the outcome.
The case had previously led to opposition lawmakers questioning Ahmad Zahid’s position as home minister, given that he oversees the agencies that would be responsible for pursuing criminal charges, if any, against him in the case.
Amir Bazli had sued Ahmad Zahid for allegedly punching him in 2006 at the Country Heights recreational club in Kajang, Selangor, causing a swollen eye and a nasal bone fracture.
Ahmad Zahid, who was then the deputy information minister, applied to the High Court to throw out the case, but his application was dismissed in 2010.
Ahmad Zahid then filed a countersuit against the 41-year-old, saying that the allegation had humiliated him and caused emotional trauma.
The Court of Appeal ruled last year, however, against Ahmad Zahid’s bid to strike out the assault suit and ordered him to fork out RM5,000 in costs, as well as to respond to the suit.
