NST COURT WATCH: Taman Sri Muda floods, Zayn Rayyan appeal headline week in court [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: From families seeking compensation after losing their homes in the devastating Taman Sri Muda floods to a dog owner fighting over the seizure of his 15-year-old pet, the courts this week heard cases that went beyond legal arguments and touched directly on ordinary lives.

One of the most significant rulings came from the Shah Alam High Court, which found the government liable for damages suffered by residents during the catastrophic 2021 floods in Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam.

The court found the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) negligent, ruling that the local authority remained responsible for maintaining drains and related infrastructure within its jurisdiction.

Also in Shah Alam, Ismanira Abdul Manaf failed in her bid to overturn her conviction and five-year jail sentence for neglecting her six-year-old son Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin in a manner that caused him physical injury.

In Penang, a dog owner lost his appeal over the seizure of his 15-year-old pet by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), while in Kuala Lumpur, the High Court upheld an arbitration award requiring Global Wall (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd to pay more than RM77 million to the main contractor of the Merdeka 118 project.

Meanwhile, Sabah's long-running 40 per cent revenue claim also returned to the spotlight after the courts announced that up to 250 members of the public would be allowed to follow an upcoming Court of Appeal hearing through live audiovisual transmission.

Below are some of the major court cases and developments this week.

GOVERNMENT LIABLE OVER TAMAN SRI MUDA FLOODS

The Shah Alam High Court found the government liable for damages suffered by residents during the devastating floods which hit Taman Sri Muda in December 2021.

The court also held that MBSA was negligent.

Although the council argued that major flood-control assets, including retention ponds and pumping facilities, belonged to the Drainage and Irrigation Department, the court ruled that this did not remove MBSA's own responsibility to maintain drains and related infrastructure within its jurisdiction.

The ruling arose from legal action brought over losses suffered during the floods, which inundated thousands of homes and caused widespread damage in the area.

ZAYN RAYYAN'S MOTHER LOSES APPEAL AGAINST CONVICTION

The Shah Alam High Court dismissed Ismanira Abdul Manaf's appeal against her conviction and five-year jail sentence for neglecting her six-year-old son, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin.

Ismanira had been convicted of neglecting the autistic boy in a manner likely to cause him physical injury.

Zayn Rayyan was reported missing before his body was found near his home in Damansara Damai in December 2023.

The case has remained under intense public scrutiny since his death.

HIGH COURT UPHOLDS RM77 MILLION MERDEKA 118 ARBITRATION AWARD

The Kuala Lumpur High Court upheld an arbitration award requiring Global Wall (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd to pay more than RM77 million to the main contractor of the Merdeka 118 project.

The court dismissed 70 challenges mounted by Global Wall against the tribunal's decision.

The dispute arose from works linked to the landmark Merdeka 118 development.

The ruling effectively left the award in favour of the main contractor intact.

DOG OWNER LOSES APPEAL OVER SEIZURE OF PET

The Penang High Court dismissed an appeal by a dog owner over the seizure of his 15-year-old pet during an operation by MBPP.

The court held that the council was entitled to seize the dog after it was found unaccompanied.

The case arose after the animal subsequently died following the seizure.

The proceedings centred on the powers of the local authority to seize unattended dogs and the obligations of pet owners under local council regulations.

PUBLIC TO GET LIVE ACCESS TO SABAH 40 PER CENT REVENUE APPEAL

Up to 250 members of the public will be allowed to follow the Court of Appeal hearing in Kota Kinabalu on Oct 29 involving Sabah's claim to its 40 per cent revenue entitlement.

The proceedings will be made available through live audiovisual transmission.

The appeal concerns Sabah's constitutional entitlement to 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from the state.

The arrangement is aimed at widening public access to proceedings in a case which has generated considerable interest in Sabah.

EX-UiTM HOLDINGS CEO CHARGED WITH CBT INVOLVING RM37 MILLION

Former UiTM Holdings Bhd (UHSB) group chief executive officer Azlizan Fadzil was charged at the Sessions Court with criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM37.37 million.

The money was allegedly meant for a large-scale solar power project in Gambang, Pahang.

He was accused of dishonestly misappropriating the funds by making payments for purposes other than the intended investment.

Azlizan, 53, who came to court in a wheelchair, pleaded not guilty and was released on bail of RM50,000 with two sureties.

The court also ordered him to surrender his passport, report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission once every three months and refrain from harassing prosecution witnesses, before fixing Nov 3 for mention.