Judge Su Tiang Joo ruled that activist lawyer Siti Zabedah Kasim deserved compensation for her wrongful detention at a 2016 private fundraising event. The High Court awarded her RM160,000 after finding that Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department officers had unlawfully arrested her. Two Jawi officials detained Kasim as she left the hotel ballroom where the event took place. The judge determined that the defendants committed misfeasance in public office by conducting an improper raid without following legal procedures. Their actions caused unnecessary fear and violated proper law enforcement protocols.
Kasim received RM100,000 for exemplary damages and RM60,000 for aggravated damages from the court decision. Legal costs of RM100,000 were also awarded to cover her expenses. She filed the civil lawsuit in September 2019, alleging false imprisonment and violations of her constitutional rights. The case centered on her argument that she had not obstructed any officers while performing her legal duties. A Magistrates Court had previously cleared her of obstruction charges in August 2020.
Kasim received RM100,000 for exemplary damages and RM60,000 for aggravated damages from the court decision. Legal costs of RM100,000 were also awarded to cover her expenses. She filed the civil lawsuit in September 2019, alleging false imprisonment and violations of her constitutional rights. The case centered on her argument that she had not obstructed any officers while performing her legal duties. A Magistrates Court had previously cleared her of obstruction charges in August 2020.
