The Kuala Lumpur High Court will tomorrow deliver two important verdicts in separate high-profile cases.

The first will decide whether a company is successful in its RM500 million suit against the defence minister and government for breach of contract.

The other will decide whether veteran MP Karpal Singh's defence is to be called on sedition charge for allegedly saying that the Perak sultan can be taken to court.

zaki azmi chief justice installation event 291008 03 Langkawi R&D Academy Sdn Bhd (Lardac) faces an uphill task in its suit against the Defence Ministry secretary-general, its then minister Najib Abdul Razak and the government, as it is learnt that its application for a full trial has been turned down.

It is understood the presiding judge, justice Abdul Wahab Patail, who in late April was elevated to the Court of Appeal, had last month rejected the company's request for a full trial and instead would deliver his verdict based on written statements.

The company had last month also written to managing judge for the Kuala Lumpur High Court, justice James Foong as well as Chief Justice Zaki Azmi ( above) asking for a full trial .

Wanting full trial

It wanted a full trial as representatives of the company, and its counsel M Manogaran, felt uneasy over Wahab's decision against a full trial despite all witnesses, including the ministry's former secretary-general Hashim Meon, who had been summoned by the company to testify, were ready to take the stand.

Besides Hashim, four other witnesses for the plaintiff and four more from the government were present to testify.

Three days had been initially fixed for the trial, but then all of the sudden the witnesses were told that they were not required to testify.

Instead justice Wahab opted to look at the statement of claims and defence's statement, an exercise that Manogaran said could have been easily done and would not taken more than four years for the court to deliberate.

Lardac's statement of claim, filed on Sept 2, 2005, stated its contract was to carry out avionics upgrading and refurbishment works involving the first of 10 RMAF Northrop F5/F fighter jets, which were subsequently grounded on Oct 11, 2001.

The defendants suddenly terminated the contract on Sept 6, 2002 without giving reasonable grounds.

It also claimed to have learnt about 'secret dealings' made directly with its partner - the UK-based Caledonian Airbone Systems Ltd - to continue with the contractual work.

Lardac is seeking RM48 million in general damages and another RM432 million in future losses, exemplary damages, costs and other reliefs deemed fit by the court.

Karpal's future at stake

Tomorrow justice Azman Abdullah, who was recently promoted and confirmed as a High Court judge will also hand down his decision, which is likely affect the veteran Bukit Gelugor MP's sedition charge matter.

sibu by election karpal singh Karpal ( right ) is charged with sedition over what he uttered at a press conference, saying the Perak sultan could be brought to court following his actions to appoint BN's Zambry Abdul Kadir as menteri besar in place of Pakatan Rakyat's Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin during the state's constitutional crisis.

This followed the defection of three Pakatan Rakyat MPs to become BN-friendly elected representatives.

Karpal is charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 and faces a maximum fine of RM5,000 or three years' imprisonment, or both, if found guilty.

Many have criticised the draconian Sedition Act, which curtails the right to freedom of expression and have called for this 62-year-old law to be repealed.

If Azman is satisfied that the prosecution has proven a prima facie case, then Karpal's defence would be called whereupon the veteran politician and lawyer is expected to testify in his own defence.

Nineteen witnesses, the bulk comprising reporters who covered the press conference, had testified for the prosecution. It would be interesting to see whether their testimony is sufficient for the defence to be called.

If the defence is called and Karpal is found guilty, he will be the second DAP elected representative to risk the threat of being disqualified from Parliament.

DAP secretary-general and present Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was disqualified when he was found guilty of a similar sedition charge during the 1990s.