JUDGMENT

Wong Kian Kheong JCA:

A. Introduction

[1] The above three appeals (3 Appeals) raise a novel question of whether the Federal Government (4th Defendant) may be estopped by statements made by, among others, Johore State Health Director (2nd Defendant) from relying on the three-year limitation period (Three-Year Limitation Period) provided in s 2(a) of the Public Authorities Protection Act 1948 (PAPA).

B. Background

[2] We shall refer to parties as they were in the High Court (HC).

[3] A fire broke out on 25 October 2016 (Fire) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johore Bahru (Hospital).

[4] Six patients in the Hospital's ICU perished in the Fire (6 Deceased Persons).

[5] The plaintiffs (Plaintiffs) in the above three suits (3 Suits) are the parents and dependents of three out of the 6 Deceased Persons.