Hong Leong Finance allowed to set aside subpoenas on Anwar, Quek

 

(The Star) – The High Court has allowed an application by Hong Leong Finance Bhd (HLFB) to set aside the subpoenaes issued to Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and HLFB chairman Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan to testify in a breach of repayment loan suit.

Judicial Commissioner Hadhariah Syed Ismail held that both were not material witnesses and would not help in establishing evidence relevant for the case.

She held that the application by businessman Low Thiam Hoe to call both witnesses were mala fide and oppressive.

In 1998, Hong Leong Finance Bhd filed a suit against Low, named as a sole defendant, for RM28.6mil for allegedly failing to repay its loan.

In 1999, Low filed a counter-claim against Hong Leong Finance, HLGCapital Markets Sdn Bhd and Hong Leong Credit Bhds former CEO Seow Lun Hoo asking for damages for alleged wrongful or negligent advice.

Hong Leong Finance also filed another suit against Mekuritek Sdn Bhdand three guarantors Hussin Abdul Karim, Agus Salim Mohd Dom andAbdullah Abd Karim Bajerai as defendants for a similar claim of RM28mil.

In his defence, Low said that a loan agreement was entered by him as part of a larger transaction by the lenders – the syndicate of bankers and financiers – to finance the majority shareholders of Arus MurniCorporation Bhd which owns Kewangan Bersatu Bhd (KBB).