KUALA LUMPUR – The High Court (Insolvency Division) today declared fashion designer Datuk Jovian Mandagie bankrupt for failing to repay a "friendly loan" totalling RM5.28 million to an engineering and construction firm.
The bankruptcy order was issued by senior assistant registrar Muhammad Faisal Zulkifli after allowing a creditor’s petition filed by Cekap Air Sdn Bhd on Nov 20, last year.
According to the petition, Jovian who is the former son-in-law of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had failed to comply with a bankruptcy notice dated May 21, 2023, thereby committing an act of bankruptcy within six months prior to the filing of the petition.
The company stated that the total amount owed, including interest as of that date, was RM5,284,340.66.
This was based on a summary judgment granted by the High Court on April 2, the same year through the main civil suit.
Lawyer Siti Nur Athirazatti Rohizad who represented Cekap Air said the bankruptcy notice was filed after Jovian failed to comply with the terms of the summary judgement.
This was followed by the filing of a creditor’s petition, which was allowed, by the court today.
"Jovian had also filed applications to stay and set aside both the notice and the petition, but all were dismissed by the court," she said.
On May 16, 2023, Cekap Air sued Jovian claiming that he had failed to repay a RM5 million loan made through a verbal agreement (friendly basis) on Feb 25, 2022.
In its statement of claim, the company said the funds were transferred to the client account of a law firm representing Jovian, with the firm confirming receipt of the funds on his instruction.
Jovian has filed an appeal against the summary judgment, which is scheduled for hearing on Sept 15. - AWANI