KUALA LUMPUR (April 14): The Sessions Court has allowed Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli's discovery application to obtain documents disclosing Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin's remuneration and incentive package during his tenure as Sapura Energy Bhd's chief executive officer.

The court in its decision on Friday (April 14) ordered Sapura Energy to produce the documents sought by Rafizi within one month.

Judge Lailatul Zuraida Harron @ Haron, in her decision delivered via Zoom, said the documents sought by the PKR deputy president were relevant to him as the defendant in a defamation lawsuit filed against him by Shahril.

The judge set May 15 for the court to be updated on Sapura’s compliance with the order to produce the documents.

Rafizi had filed the discovery application on Nov 24 last year, seeking the court's permission for Sapura Energy to reveal Shahril's remuneration and incentive package.

He had on the same day amended his defence in the defamation suit filed by Shahril last May over Rafizi's statements in three articles appearing on his social media accounts in reaction to news that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wanted the government to inject more funds into Sapura Energy to save the company.

Rafizi had opposed Najib's calls to further bail out Sapura Energy, claiming that public funds should not be used to protect the elite.