Mayor blames insurance firm
The Malay Mail 21/4/2006

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Bandar Datuk Ruslin Hassan places the blame squarely on City Hall's insurance carrier, Takaful Nasional, for having to fork out RM500,910 in damages to the family of Putera Marzuqi Hue.

Responding to reporters' queries at a Press conference in Menara Wawasan yesterday, Ruslin said the insurance company was at fault for notappearing in court at the appointed date.

"I don't know why the company's representatives did not attend (the proceedings)," he said.

He said a thorough internal investigation would be conducted to determine why no representative (from Takaful) appeared on behalf of City Hall at the proceedings.

"We have assigned our Legal Department to investigate the matter," he said.

Ruslin maintained that the payment of damages did not represent an admission of guilt.

"The payment is not an admission of guilt. It was made for judgment on default only, nothing else," he stressed.

Asked whether the incident would project a negative image of City Hall, he replied:

"The public is wise enough to understand the process of law and its procedures. They cannot say that it jeopardises our image.

"In truth, we would have preferred both parties to sit down and negotiate," he said.

Ruslin said he was not concerned that the case would open the floodgates to similar lawsuits.

"I leave everything to the courts. This is something we have dealt with before," he said.

Ruslin said he was not aware that the City Hall office was in the process of being sealed until he was informed by an acquaintance.

"I was at a post-Cabinet meeting when someone informed me about it. However, I was made to understand that our Deputy Director of
Administration, Normah Malik, had discussed the matter with the parties and had contacted our insurance company," he said.

Asked whether he was embarrassed by the whole episode, Ruslin replied: "I cannot be emotional in this matter. I am holding a public office and as such, it is not relevant for me to say whether I am embarrassed or otherwise.

"It is just another process of law," he said.