Malaysia: Residents file judicial review for Rapid project in Pengerang

yee xiang yun The Star 6 Mar 14;

JOHOR BARU: Residents from Pengerang filed a judicial review at the Civil Court here on Thursday to challenge the acquisition of the land for the Refinery And Petrochemicals Integrated Development (Rapid) Project there.

Plaintiffs Lim Goo Kia, Khairiah Md Yunus and Loh Back Seng under the representation of lawyer Mohamad Hanipa Maidin, questioned the validity of the land acquisition before judge M. Gunalan in his chambers.

Mohamad Hanipa said in a press conference later outside the courtroom that the review was filed to also question the "state of authority" used to acquire the village lands for the project, claiming that only the Sultan of Johor had the power to acquire the land and that the power could not be delegated to anyone else.

He said that judge Gunalan has set March 30 for the decision and if the court allows the review, the whole Rapid project would be null and void.