NFC has until Sept 20 to pursue defamation suit

The National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) has until Sept 20 to file its statement of facts and other documents relating to its suit against Public Bank Bhd for alleged violation of the Bank and Financial Institutions Act 1989.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Justice John Louis O'Hara, who fixed the date in chambers today after meeting both parties, also warned that he will strike out the suit if the deadline is not met.

Rajindar Singh and Wan Shahrizal Wan Laden represented NFC, while Yoong Sin Min and Poh Choon Hoe appeared for the bank.

NFC had filed the defamation suit on May 22, citing loss of reputation following alleged breach of its security resulting in the company's private banking information, and that of its chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail (left) and other related companies, to be exposed.

“The security breach by the bank had allowed PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli to dramatise and sow the seeds of distortions and misrepresentations to defame and damage the reputation and credibility of NFC, its related companies and its chairman with the government and general public as well as with the business and financial communities,” it said when filing the suit.

On April 26, Salleh had threatened to file a suit against the bank for leaking personal details. He then lodged separate police reports against Rafizi and the bank.

NFC has also filed a RM500 million lawsuit against Rafizi and Malaysiakini for publishing alleged defamatory reports about the company.

Salleh's wife, the former women, family and community development minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, has filed separate lawsuits against Rafizi and PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Salleh has been charged with two counts of criminal breach of trust and two counts of violating the Companies Act 1965. His trial has been fixed for five days from Nov 5.