Damages for ex-ISA detainee reduced from RM3.3mil to RM300,000 *new!

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PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal here today maintained that former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Badrul Zaman P.S. Mohamad was wrongfully detained, but reduced the amount of damages awarded to him to RM300,000, from RM3.3 million.

A three-member Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Datuk Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad unanimously dismissed the appeal brought by the Kamunting Detention Centre superintendent, deputy home minister and the government against the decision of the High Court which had held them liable for unlawfully detaining Badrul Zaman.

However, the panel, also comprising Justices Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, allowed their appeal on the quantum.

“The High Court’s decision on the quantum (in granting RM3.3 million to Badrul Zaman) is set aside and substituted with an award of RM300,000,” said Syed Ahmad Helmy.

The court also ordered Badrul Zaman to be paid eight per cent annual interest from the date of filing of his civil suit, on Nov 30, 1994 until settlement of the case.– BERNAMA