RM100 Million Defamation Suit by Synergy Against Shahrir Samad Settled
KUALA LUMPUR: The RM100 million defamation lawsuit filed by a property development company, Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd, against former Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) Chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Ab Samad over land issues involving the agency was settled in the High Court here yesterday.
A consent judgment for the settlement of the case was recorded before Judge Datuk Akhtar Tahir after Shahrir and Synergy Promenade co-owner, Datuk Abdul Rahman Soltan, agreed to issue a joint statement. No order as to costs was made.
In the joint statement, Shahrir said he never intended to undermine the professional integrity, conduct, or honesty of Synergy Promenade or its directors in relation to the Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC) project.
“Furthermore, I acknowledge and confirm that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) dated 15 January 2018 is valid, legally binding, and unaffected by any factors that could nullify it.
“I also acknowledge and confirm that the transactions involving the transfer of Felda land under the sale and purchase agreement, the power of attorney, and the retransfer of the land back to Felda under the MOU were transparent, valid, and free from any invalidating factors,” said Shahrir.
Meanwhile, lawyer Amrit Pal Singh, who represented Synergy Promenade, confirmed the settlement when contacted and stated that the company has withdrawn its lawsuit against Shahrir and Felda.
“However, the defamation suit filed by Synergy Promenade against New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) is still ongoing,” he added.
On 4 June 2018, Synergy Promenade, as the plaintiff, sued Shahrir, who was then the Felda Chairman, over allegedly defamatory statements made between December 2017 and March 2018, which were published in various media outlets, on Facebook, YouTube, and news portals.
The company claimed the statements had damaged its reputation and caused the loss of ongoing projects.
The plaintiff sought an injunction to prevent the defendant from republishing the statements, as well as RM100 million in damages, interest, costs, and any other relief deemed appropriate.
— BERNAMA
