KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has dismissed an application by Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd, the former operator of the Kuala Lumpur Tower, to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and several other parties.
Presiding judge Roz Mawar Rozain ruled that there were no legal grounds to grant leave for contempt proceedings, citing the absence of any temporary injunction following the company’s unsuccessful application—a decision previously upheld by the Court of Appeal.
The court further found no merit in Hydroshoppe’s claim that government authorities had unlawfully encroached on its properties following the expiration of its operating contract on 31 March. “This court is not satisfied there is a prima facie case for this court to grant leave for contempt of court (to ask the parties to answer),” said Roz Mawar in delivering her judgment.
As a result, the court ordered Hydroshoppe and its subsidiary, Menara KL Sdn Bhd, to pay legal costs totalling RM15,000 to Fahmi and the government. An additional RM10,000 in total costs was awarded to other named defendants, namely LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd, LSH Best Builders Sdn Bhd, and Service Master (M) Sdn Bhd.
In addition to the minister, Hydroshoppe and Menara KL had filed contempt proceedings against two office bearers from the three companies named, as well as six other individuals. These include Dang Wangi district police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman, Federal Land Commissioner Datuk Muhammad Azmi Mohd Zain, and Communications Ministry Secretary General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.
Separately, the High Court is currently hearing Hydroshoppe and Menara KL’s ongoing application for an inter partes injunction.
-The Edge Malaysia
