KUALA LUMPUR (July 4): Sapura Energy Bhd has decided to not pursue its appeal against the Sessions Court's decision to allow Economy Minister Mohd Rafizi Ramli's discovery application to obtain documents concerning its former CEO Tan Sri Shahril Shamsudin's remuneration package.
Following that, High Court judge Datuk Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad recorded a consent order on Tuesday (July 4).
Initially, Nik Hasmat had fixed Aug 8 to hear Sapura’s appeal.
This was confirmed by Rafizi’s counsel Navpreet Singh to The Edge. Kwong Chiew Ee appeared for Sapura Energy.
Navpreet said the Sessions Court then fixed Aug 19 for pre-trial case management to obtain further directives.
Previously, it was reported that Sapura Energy had filed an appeal against Sessions Court judge Lailatul Zuraida Harron @ Haron’s decision on April 14 to allow the application.
Lailatul Zuraida found that the documents concerning Shahril’s remuneration were relevant to the Pandan member of Parliament as he is the defendant in a defamation lawsuit filed by Shahril against him.
Lailatul Zuraida also ordered Sapura Energy to produce the document within one month, but the company appealed and sought an interim stay, which Lailatul Zuraida granted on May 8.
Shahril had filed a defamation suit against Rafizi, who is also PKR deputy president, over statements he made that were published in three articles via his social media accounts, in response to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak asking the government to save Sapura Energy by injecting more funds into the company.
Rafizi said that public funds should not be used to protect the elite.
In his defence, Rafizi said he was justified in raising the matter, and that Shahril’s remuneration when he served as CEO was not commensurate with Sapura Energy’s financial performance.