The High Court in Alor Setar fixed July 19 for hearing of an interim injunction application to refrain the Kedah government from demolishing the Madrasah Salihiah, a religious school, pending disposal of the suit filed by its original heirs.

Justice Mohd Azman Husin made the decision in chambers today, and also fixed the same date to hear the counter-defence by the Kedah Islamic Religious Council (Maik), Kota Setar district land administrator (PTD) and the Kedah government, who are first, second and third defendants in the heirs’ suit.  

On May 6, the heirs, Jamludin Murad, 58, Fadzil Ishak, 61, Fidel Firaidi Mustafa, 49, and Fidel Firaidid Mustafa, 49, filed the interim application, in a bid to prevent demolition of the religious school by the state government, allegedly to make way for a shopping complex.

The land was endowed for the religious school through Maik, which became its custodian.

In their statement of claim, the heirs alleged that the ownership transfer of the land from Maik to the developer, reportedly for RM1.48 million compensation through the state government, was not legal under the National Land Code; and they are seeking an order for the land to be returned to Maik.

The plaintiffs were represented by Jesvinder Jit Singh, Maik by Nawal Harun, and PTD Kota Setar and the state government, by senior federal counsel Rafiah Yusof.

- Bernama