KUALA LUMPUR: Professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia's legal dispute with his family over financial and management issues involving his company has been resolved, with the High Court ordering an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to be held at the end of the month, among other terms.
Judge Leong Wai Hong recorded a consent judgment following successful mediation in chambers between Zii Jia, as the applicant, and his father, Chee Hin, 59, and younger brother, Tao, 25, as the second and fourth respondents.
His elder sister, Zii Yii, 30, the third respondent, was not present in court as she was overseas.
The first respondent is LZJ Management Sdn Bhd.
Zii Jia, 28, was represented by lawyer Ahmad Zayd Ahmad Zuber, while the respondents were represented by Adrian Ng Chen Yip and Samantha Cheng for the company.
During open court proceedings afterwards, Zayd told the judge that the parties had resolved the matter and wished to record a consent judgment.
Under the terms of the consent judgment, the court ordered the company's EGM to be held on Oct 31, in line with the notice dated Oct 16. The company will bear the cost of the EGM.
Pending the conclusion of the EGM, the second and third respondents, whether acting themselves or through their agents or other parties, are barred by an injunction from approving, paying, issuing or authorising any payment of directors' fees, allowances, bonuses, rewards or other financial benefits to themselves from the first respondent, except for monthly salaries from Sept 1.
They are also barred from making decisions that would materially affect the management, administration or control of the first respondent without the court's consent.
No costs were awarded to either party.
After the terms were read out, Leong called Zii Jia forward to confirm his agreement to the consent judgment.
Before proceeding, Leong asked the court interpreter to verify Zii Jia's identity card and MyKad number.
"Although he is famous, we must check his MyKad.
"It is to check whether it is the same person or not," he said, drawing laughter from those in the public gallery.
After Zii Jia confirmed the terms and told the court he had agreed to them, Chee Hin and Tao were called forward to do the same.
Ng confirmed that Zii Yii had also agreed to the terms.
Leong then thanked the parties for resolving the matter amicably.
"This is good for everyone. Everyone move forward," he said.
Earlier, Zii Jia arrived in the courtroom and sat several benches away from Chee Hin and Tao.
They did not speak to each other initially.
However, about 10 minutes later, Chee Hin was seen approaching Zii Jia at the front bench.
Neither party spoke to the media after the proceedings.
Zii Jia filed an originating summons at the High Court on July 2, seeking an interim injunction to prevent his father and sister from making certain financial and management decisions at LZJ Management.
He sought to prevent Chee Hin and Zii Yii, both company directors, from approving directors' fees, allowances, bonuses or other financial benefits for themselves beyond their monthly salaries.
He also sought a court order to convene an EGM to address the company's management and governance.
In his supporting affidavit, Zii Jia said an attempt to hold an EGM on Dec 22 last year had failed due to a lack of quorum.
He wanted the EGM to be held within 14 days of the court order or within another period determined by the court.
In an affidavit in reply filed on Aug 6, Chee Hin disputed the need for court intervention, saying the company had continued to manage matters relating to his son's professional badminton career.
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