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‘Suria KLCC’s action biased against local brands’

Suria KLCC Sdn Bhd’s action to ask BTC Clothier Sdn Bhd to move to a new location gave an impression that it discriminated against Malaysian brands.

This was said by Liew Yam Ngoon, 64, the founder, CEO and director of BTC Clothier which owns and manages ‘BritishIndia’, at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

BTC Clothier is suing Suria KLCC for wrongfully terminating their lease agreement via a letter dated July 4, 2014.

Liew said Suria KLCC had previously shown that it strongly supported local brands and had helped showcase BritishIndia alongside other international brands.

“However, now Suria KLCC no longer supports Malaysian brands and is pushing hard to discriminate against them. Since Andrew Brien became the CEO of Suria KLCC, things have changed drastically.

“One by one, Malaysian brands have moved out of the defendant’s premises, such as Kelantan Delights, Ombak, Mayfair and Carat Club,” she said on the second day of the trial.

The witness said five years ago, Suria KLCC tried to unlawfully terminate the Tenancy Agreement with BTC Clothier by giving the excuse that it had a plan for a new tenancy mix.

“Five years later, they are still using the same excuse but till now no substantial plan or evidence was given to BTC Clothier on the matter despite numerous requests,” she said.

Liew said BTC Clothier rented a strategic location, Lots 111A-B, Level 1, as its store at the shopping mall in 1998.

On Feb 24, this year, BTC Clothier obtained an injunction from the High Court to prevent Suria KLCC from disturbing its business at the said premises pending disposal of the suit.

BTC Clothier sued Suria KLCC in July 2014; in its statement of claim, it said the defendant had threatened to shut down the BritishIndia store at 10pm on July 7, 2014, if it refused to accept a new tenancy offer.

The plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the existing rental agreement between the two parties is still valid and that the action of the defendant to terminate it is unlawful.

It also wants the defendant or their employees to refrain from disrupting its business or block its product display at the premises.

The company is also seeking general damages, interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

BTC Clothier, which sells clothing and household items, has 13 branches in Malaysia and five in Singapore besides a retail chain throughout South-East Asia.

The plaintiff was represented by lawyer Gideon Tan, while Suria KLCC, by Cecil Abraham. The trial before Judge Nor Bee Ariffin continues Aug 25.

- Bernama

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