Sunday, March 19, 1995

Court: Plan for RM4b floating city is valid

New Straits Times

JOHOR BARU, Sat. - The High Court here yesterday struck off with costs an originating summons asking for a declaration that the permission given by the City Council (MBJB) to develop the RM4 billion floating city project is invalid.

Judge Datuk Abdul Malek Ishak, who delivered his judgment in chambers, said the originating summons had no reasonable grounds, adding that the costs would be decided at a later date.

Lawyer Abdul Razak Ahmad in his originating summons filed last November, had said that the permission granted to Johor Coastal Development Sdn Bhd to start work on the project contravened the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976.

His originating summons also stated that the permission contravened the Street, Drainage and Building Act, 1974 and Uniform By-Laws 1984.

Razak had stated that he was entitled to a reply by the MBJB to his letter dated Sept 7, 1994 in relation to the planning permission given.

The MBJB's application to strike off the originating summons was made last December pursuant to Order 18, Rule 19 on the grounds that Razak's summons did not disclose reasonable cause of action.

Roger Tan appeared for the MBJB, while Razak represented himself. State Legal Advisor Abdul Alim Abdullah held a watching brief for the State Government.