High Court records consent judgement between Synergy Promenade and Shahrir over defamation regarding KL Vertical City project

• Following this consent judgement, Synergy Promenade withdrew its action against Shahrir and Felda.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 25): The High Court on Tuesday recorded a consent judgement between Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd and former Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairman Tan Sri Shahril Abdul Samad in a defamation suit filed by Synergy Promenade in 2018 over the KL Vertical City project (KLVC project).

The consent judgement was recorded by High Court judge Datuk Akhtar Tahir, after both Shahrir and Synergy Promenade co-owner Datuk Abdul Rahman Soltan agreed to the issuance of a joint statement, and no order was made as to costs.

“I, Shahrir, hereby clarify that I never intended to cast aspersions on the professional integrity, conduct, and honesty of Synergy Promenade and its directors in relation to the KLVC project. Furthermore, I accept and affirm the fact that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) dated Jan 15, 2018, is legitimate, valid, and free from any vitiating factors.

“I also accept and affirm the fact that the transactions in respect of the transfer of Felda’s plot of lands under the SPA (sales and purchase agreement) and PA (power of attorney), and re-transfer to Felda under the MOU are above board, legitimate, and free from any vitiating factors,” Shahrir said in the joint statement, which he signed with Abdul Rahman.

The statement was read in open court by Shahrir.

Following this consent judgement, Synergy Promenade withdrew its action against Shahrir and Felda.

Counsel Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin appeared for Shahrir, while Simon Murali and Amrit Pal appeared for Synergy Promenade, and Kumar Kanagasingam appeared for Felda.

Firoz Hussein and Amrit, when contacted separately by The Edge, confirmed Tuesday’s outcome.

However, Synergy Promenade’s defamation action against New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) and another continues.

Synergy Promenade had filed a RM100 million defamation suit against Shahrir and Felda in 2018.

The company said it was safeguarding itself following what Shahrir had said, and described the action (the suit) as for malicious falsehood against the former Felda chairman over certain misrepresentation of facts that affected Synergy Promenade’s reputation.

Shah Alam-based Synergy Promenade was involved in the transfer of 16 parcels of land in Jalan Semarak, measuring 16.06 acres (6.5 hectares) and worth RM270 million, to itself and its company Synergy Promenade KLVC Sdn Bhd, through four agreements on Dec 2, 2015, and Nov 7, 2016.

It had filed a similar suit against NSTP, and that has been consolidated with hearings before Akhtar.

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