After eight years they found that the land had been allotted to the respondent

11. In Malaysia, Muhammad Bin Ismail v. Tan Sri Haji Othman Saat (1982-2 MLJ 133) is the leading case on PIL. The appellant and 183 others had applied for a State land and received no response. After eight years they found that the land had been allotted to the respondent, Menteri Besar of Johor. A question arose whether the appellant had the locus standi in bringing the matter to the Court. Wan Yahya J. held: “If they (public authorities) transgress any law or constitutional directive, then any public-spirited citizen, even if he has no greater interest than a person having regard for the due observation of the law, may move the courts and the courts may grant him the appropriate legal remedy in its discretion.”

Part Of Judgment
Lahore High Court
Writ Petition-Criminal Proceedings-Detention/habeas
409-20
2020 LHC 200