Anina loses appeal to challenge Umno sacking

(MMO) – The Court of Appeal dismissed today former Langkawi Umno member Anina Saadudin’s appeal against her party’s decision to sack her after she sued the party president.

In a unanimous decision, a three-member bench led by Justice Datuk David Wong Dak Wah said that the appellate court agreed with the High Court that had struck out Anina’s bid to challenge the termination of her party membership, citing Section 18C of the Societies Act 1966.

Section 18C states that the decision of a political party shall be “final and conclusive” and that such decisions cannot be challenged in court.

“It is clear that whatever decision within a political party, right or wrong, is not subject to review at courts,” Wong said in delivering his summary judgment.

“Any dispute must be resolved outside the court,” he added.

However, the court said there are no legal impediments for Anina to mount a fresh challenge on the constitutionality of Section 18C of the Societies Act.

Anina was sacked by Umno in September last year after she filed a civil suit against Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and other key party leaders over the RM 2.6 billion transfer to Najib’s private accounts.

Following today’s court decision, Anina’s lawyer Haniff Khatri told reporters that his client would take some time to decide on her next move.

“We will do something, but whether it will be an appeal to the Federal Court or a fresh challenge on 18C, we will discuss,” he said.

He described the judgment as “not entirely bad news”.

The Court of Appeal ordered Anina to pay RM10,000 in costs to the defendants — Umno secretary general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh.