The Kuala Lumpur High Court has allowed for a postponement of the hearing of a Malaysia Airlines suit against its former chairperson Tajudin Ramli which was scheduled to be held for five days next week.

The matter was called before the trial judge Justice Rosilah Yop today.

tajudin ramli 1 It is learnt that Tajudin’s ( left ) lawyer had written to Chief Judge of Malaya Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin, following several appeals pending with regards to the case.

Justice Zulkefli is believed to have written back, saying that if there were no objections from all the parties the case can be postponed.

Following this, the matter was called up by Justice Rosilah who with the agreement of the various parties concerned then granted the postponement.

On Monday, it was reported that Justice Rosilah dismissed the government’s application to strike out Tajudin’s counter-claim. She also dismissed Tajudin’s application to strike out the suit.

On Feb 16, it was reported that Tajudin was seeking a postponement of the MAS suit against him with his lawyer Lim Kian Leong saying the parties have agreed to seek an adjournment to enable a settlement to be worked out.

klia airport 141105 mas aircraft at the terminal MAS along with MAS Golden Holidays Sdn Bhd and MAS Hotels & Boutiques Sdn Bhd are the plaintiffs in the suit.

The company named Tajudin, his former company Naluri Corporation Bhd, Promet (Langkawi) Resorts Sdn Bhd, Kauthar Venture Capital Sdn Bhd and Pakatan Permai Sdn Bhd as defendants.

It claims Tajudin had intentionally breached his duties or obligations and committed breach of trust by having MAS procure various contracts for his own interests.

It alleged that Tajudin, as director and chairperson of MAS, had neglected advice given by the national carrier and did not take reasonable steps incumbent upon an executive, resulting in MAS suffering losses.

MAS further alleged that Tajudin was guilty of unconscionable conduct when holding the senior position in the airline, and that he had used his influence to continue the VIP chartering service with the purchase of a Boeing 737 Business Jet for US$31 million in 1997, despite MAS suffering losses.

The airline claimed that Tajudin had dishonestly concealed his interests in Cendanasari Insurance Brokers Sdn Bhd, in matters involving a parcel of land in Langkawi and the luxury yacht, Colombo Star. Tajudin has failed to strike out this suit.

Tajudin files defence, counterclaim

Tajudin, in return has filed his defence and counterclaim against MAS, its executives and the government, denying that he had breached his fiduciary duty or trust, or was fraudulent where his obligations were concerned.

He claimed that the MAS suit contains bare allegations with no facts or circumstances to back them.

Tajudin denied all allegations of conspiracy and concealment, charging that these were brought on without any justification, were frivolous and vexatious and were an abuse of due process.

He claimed that MAS and the government, which owns a substantial stake in the airlines, had acted with malice and in bad faith in initiating the suit against him in order to cause injury, damage and embarrassment to him, his reputation and business.

He further said that the MAS report filed with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission against him was defamatory.

Tajudin wants the government to indemnify him, Promet and Kauthar for all losses and damages suffered as a result of the business actions. He has claimed to have suffered losses following the government’s move to sell his stake in Naluri to Atlan Holdings Bhd.

He claimed at all material times he was acting as an appointee, representative agent, or servant of the government in the performance of a public duty and in the national interests.

Tajudin also claimed that all the said transactions were carried out at the request and direction of the government and that the former prime minister had been kept informed of all matters.