KUALA LUMPUR – An Islamic education academy is pursuing over RM480,000 in damages and compensation from Koperasi Polis Diraja Malaysia Bhd, alleging wrongful termination of its tenancy agreement.
According to court documents obtained by Scoop, Akademi Huffaz Assyakirin Sdn Bhd claims that the police cooperative “baselessly and prematurely” ended its rental contract for eight units at the Taman Koperasi Polis business centre in Batu Caves.
The academy said it signed the rental agreement in 2022, with the contract specifying a tenancy period from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2024.
However, the academy, represented by Messrs Yaacob Mentol, Zamani & Associates, stated in its statement of claims filed at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on December 31, 2024, that it received a notice of termination on February 22, 2023.
Despite the termination, the academy said it received a demand for rental payment from the cooperative on August 23, 2023.
“The defendant (Koperasi Polis Diraja Malaysia) had requested that the plaintiff (Akademi Huffaz Assyakirin) vacate the premises within a month from the rental termination notice without any compensation.
“(The termination notice) was because the police cooperative had leased the premises to FMIT Solution Sdn Bhd,” the academy claimed in its filing.
Scoop’s checks revealed that FMIT Solution, identified in the legal documents as a property management firm, is now operating in the same commercial complex but occupying different units from those previously rented by the academy.
The academy expressed disappointment over the termination and disclosed it had paid RM2,500 in legal fees to Messrs Mohd Irwan Mohd Mubarak to seek redress. A letter of demand sent to the cooperative on March 24, 2023, went unanswered, prompting the academy to claim the cooperative had “refused or neglected to” compensate for its losses.
The academy noted that it had invested RM377,526 in renovations and furniture to optimise the premises for business and had received approval from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department to run a private religious school on-site.
The department granted its approval on November 14, 2023, following the academy’s application submitted on December 1, 2023. The academy also had plans to open a restaurant on the premises.
In its suit, the academy is seeking RM377,526 in special damages, which it wants the cooperative to pay within seven days of the court’s judgement. It is also demanding reimbursement of RM36,604 for rental and utility deposits, agreement costs, and stamp duties, along with RM64,377.82 for employment costs.
Additionally, it is seeking compensation for the RM2,500 in legal fees paid to Messrs Mohd Irwan Mohd Mubarak and costs associated with the ongoing legal proceedings.
The case will be mentioned before Judge Hilmiah Yusof on January 31. – January 28, 2025