Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun was not in court this morning for a judgment debtor summons hearing regarding non-payment of RM1.9 million to a France-based production company.
The Titiwangsa MP, however, issued three cheques totalling close to RM700,000 to Sarl Novovision lawyers in a bid to settle the almost decade-long debt.
The dues are over the purchase of comedy shows and documentaries under the comedy genre.
Mark Ho, who is representing Sarl Novovision, said: “We have agreed not to apply for a warrant of arrest on condition that we are heading towards a settlement.
“I have received several cheques from Rina’s lawyers and the next hearing for the judgment debtor summons is on Oct 22.”
On the bankruptcy action against Rina, Ho said: “I have requested Rina’s lawyers to assist in effecting the service of the bankruptcy notice.”
The case management for bankruptcy notice is on Sept 28.
Rina’s lawyer Hussin Mohd Razak said his client was supposed to attend court today but she had an urgent meeting and an emergency.
“No arrest warrant was issued today for her non-attendance as we are in the process of a settlement. We are still negotiating the terms.
“My client is very committed to settlement,” he added.
The matter was heard in chambers before assistant registrar Farah Shuhada Ramli.
Twentytwo13 yesterday reported Sarl Novovision had issued several invoices to Rina’s now-defunct companies Eurofine (M) Sdn Bhd, Fine Mobile Network Sdn Bhd and Fine TV Network Sdn Bhd between 2011 and 2013.
Rina and Ida Rahayu Md Noor were directors of the companies.
Fine Mobile Network, Fine TV Network and Eurofine were wound up on Aug 11, 2014, Dec 3, 2014 and Aug 10, 2015 respectively.
However, Rina and Ida Rahayu had on May 28, 2014 executed a joint and several personal guarantee agreement with Sarl Novovision that they would personally and jointly undertake all liabilities of the companies towards any or all outstanding dues payable to the French company.
According to court documents, Ida Rahayu was declared bankrupt on Oct 5, 2015.
Rina was made Rural Development Minister after Pakatan Harapan won the 2018 general election. Earlier this year, she and several other MPs turned their backs on PH, leading to the collapse of the 22-month-old administration led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Pledging allegiance to Perikatan Nasional, Rina was named Women, Family and Community Development Minister in March.
She is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Srikandi (women’s wing) chief.