Mahadev Shankar JCA:

[1] In the Court below Leong Hup Holdings Berhad filed a petition for relief under s 181 of the Companies Act 1965 (the Act) against the first nine respondents ("the respondents") named in the petition. The subject matter of the petition was Leong Hups' alleged entitlement to representation on the board of directors of KFC Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad (KFCM), and to a right thereby to participate in the management of the affairs of this company. The respondents applied to have the petition struck out on the ground that it did not disclose a reasonable cause of action. The trial Judge, YA Tuan Richard Talalla, dismissed the application. Six separate appeals have come before us. These are by:

(i) the first respondent in the suit below;

(ii) the second, third and fifth respondents;

(iii) the fourth respondent;

(iv) the sixth respondent;

(v) the seventh respondent;

(vi) the eight respondent (whose name is actually Kentucky Fried Chicken International Holdings Incorporation) referred to as KFC International and the ninth respondent.

[2] Since there were common questions of law and fact in all six appeals we heard them together. Even though the respondents are in fact