Abdul Malik Ishak J:

The Appeal And The Preliminary Objection

This was an appeal in encl. 29 by the defendant appellant (Bimacom Property & Development Sdn Bhd) against the decision of the Senior Assistant Registrar ("SAR") allowing a preliminary objection raised by the plaintiff respondent (PP Persero Sdn Bhd) and striking out the defendant appellant's application in encl. 17.

The preliminary objection raised by the plaintiff respondent went like this: that the inclusion of prayer (1) in encl. 17 constituted a step in the proceedings and, consequently, the defendant appellant was barred from applying for a stay of the proceedings pending reference to arbitration under s. 6 of the Arbitration Act 1952. In encl. 17, the defendant appellant sought for the following prayers:

1. Bahawa tindakan Plaintif dibuang mengikut Aturan 18 Kaedah 19 (1) Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah Tinggi 1980;

2. Secara alternatif, bahawa semua prosiding selanjutnya dalam tindakan ini digantung menurut Seksyen 6 Akta Timbangtara 1952, dimana perkaraperkara yang berhubung dengan mana tindakan di bawa hendaklah di rujuk kepada timbangtara;

3. Bahawa Plaintif membayar kepada Defendan kos tindakan ini termas