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1999 MarsdenLR 319
RK NATHAN
KERAJAAN MALAYSIA – Appellant
Versus
SOUTH EAST ASIA INSURANCE BHD – Respondent
For the appellant - M Pathmanathan; M/s Yusuf Khan & Pathmanathan For the respondent - Shanaz Sulaiman, Legal Advisory Department Works MinistryReported by Izzaty Izzuddin
Court's discretion is upheld on procedural matters when parties fail to act timely.
Headnote:This case concerns the dismissal of an appeal due to lack of diligence from the defendant in the original proceedings under the Rules of the High Court. The court found the defendant's reliance on procedural rules insufficient after its failure to act in response to a show cause notice. The ruling emphasized the court's discretion to act when parties do not pursue their claims timely, leading to the dismissal of the appeal with costs.
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| 1. facts of the case regarding the plaintiff's claims. (Para 3 , 4 , 5) |
RK Nathan J:
Facts
The plaintiff sued the defendant insurer on a guarantee agreement for a sum of RM369,444.42 and for interest and costs. This suit was filed on 1 October 1997. The defendant entered appearance on 22 October 1997 and filed a defence on 10 November 1997. Nothing happened after that. Neither party took any action on this matter. The court then on its own motion took the initiative to write to both parties, a letter dated 3 May 1999 to show cause why this suit ought not to be struck out for want of prosecution. Parties were required to appear before me in open court on 19 May 1999 at 9.30am. This notice was issued by my Deputy Registrar (DR) pursuant to my directions. The said notice addressed to both solicitors is reproduced herewith:
Ruj. Kami: (6)dlm.S2-21-126-97
Tarikh: 3.5.99
1. Peguam Persekutuan Bahagian Penasihat Undang-Undang Kementerian Kerja Raya (Ruj. Tuan: Idham/AY/KKR-U-31.423(26/9/97)
2. T/n Yusuf Khan & Pathmanathan (Ruj. Tuan: S276/50)
Tuan,
NO. KES:S2-21-126-97
PIHAK: Kerajaan Malaysia v. South East Asia Insurance Berhad
NOTIS: Tiada tindakan selepas pembelaan difailkan pada 10.11.97 TUNJUK SEBAB ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTIS adalah dengan ini diberikan kepada tuan bahawa kes yang tersebut di atas ditetapkan pada hari Rabu, 19.5.99 jam 9.30 pagi di Mahkamah Terbuka di hadapan Y.A. Hakim Dato' Dr. Kamalanathan Ratnam di Tingkat 11, Wisma Denmark, untuk menunjukkan sebab kenapa kes ini tidak patut ditolak kerana kegagalan tuan untuk meneruskan dengan pendakwaan kes ini. Peguam yang mengendalikan kes ini diwajibkan hadir.
2. Jika tuan ingin meneruskan dengan pendakwaan kes ini, sila ambil tindakan susulan dengan serta-merta dan memberitahu Mahkamah melalui surat akan tindakan yang telah diambil agar kes ini dapat dikeluarkan daripada senarai kes tunjuk sebab.
3.Jika tuan ingin menarik balik tindakan ini atau tidak meneruskan tindakan ini, sila failkan Notis Pemberhentian.
Pastikan bahawa notis tersebut juga ditandatangani oleh pihak yang lain.
4. Kedua-kedua tindakan di perenggan 2 dan 3 hendaklah diambil sekurangkurangnya 1 minggu sebelum tarikh tunjuk sebab.
Sekian, terima kasih.
"BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA"
Saya yang menurut perintah,
t.t.
(TAN GHEE PHAIK) Timbalan Pendaftar Bahagian Sivil 2 Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur.
Upon receipt of the said notice the Peguam Persekutuan (PP) wrote to the DR a letter dated 12 May 1999. The same is reproduced herewith for its relevance.
SEGERA/DENGAN TANGAN
Ruj. Tuan:(6)dlm S2-21-126-97 Bil Kami: (14)dlm.KKR/U/31/423 Tarikh: 12 Mei 1999
Timbalan Pendaftar Bahagian Sivil 2 Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur Wisma Denmark Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Puan,
Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur Guaman No: S2-21-126-97 Kerajaan Malaysia v. South East Asia Insurance Berhad --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dengan hormatnya, saya merujuk perkara di atas dan surat pihak puan bertarikh 3 Mei 1999.
2. Untuk makluman pihak puan, kes tersebut telah ditetapkan untuk tunjuk sebab pada hari Rabu 19 Mei 1999 di hadapan Y.A. Hakim Dato' Dr. Kamalanathan Ratnam.
3. Untuk makluman pihak puan, juga, pihak kami telah pun memfailkan Jawapan Kepada Penyataan Pembelaan hari ini.
4. Sehubungan itu, saya dengan rendah diri memohon agar kes ini dapat dikeluarkan daripada senarai kes tunjuk sebab.
5. Kerjasama dan budi baik pihak puan amat saya hargai.
Sekian, terima kasih.
* BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA *
Saya yang menurut perintah,
t.t.
(SHAHNAZ BT. SULAIMAN) Peguam Persekutuan Kementerian Kerja Raya Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR
s.k. T/n Yusuf Khan & Pathmanathan Suite 1B, 1st Floor The Tower Plaza Pekeliling Jalan Tun Razak 50400 Kuala Lumpur.
On receipt of the said letter from the PP, the DR then minuted on the same letter itself her comment, which it is again relevant to repr
