KUALA LUMPUR – Lee Zii Jia Management Sdn Bhd (LZJMSB) faces a crucial decision deadline on Tuesday as they weigh a settlement offer in the ongoing court case involving independent men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia and his former coach, Indra Wijaya, who acts as the plaintiff in the matter.
As reported earlier by Scoop, the trial date for the dispute between Indra and LZJMSB has been scheduled by the Industrial Court for January 30, arising from a disagreement over what is claimed to be an unlawful termination.
Sources close to the situation indicate that the Zii Jia camp is preparing a “serious settlement offer”, and negotiations with Indra’s side are “open until Tuesday.”
“(However), they (LZJMSB) have requested that the terms of the settlement remain confidential,” the source shared when contacted, creating an air of suspense around the potential resolution.
The source further disclosed that both parties have chosen to keep the specifics of the settlement under wraps.
If an agreement is reached by the deadline, a joint media statement is expected to be released by both parties in the coming days.
Previously, Indra entered a three-year contract with Zii Jia’s team in March 2022, only to face dismissal in November of the same year.
In February of the following year, Indra alleged a callous termination as Zii Jia’s coach and subsequently joined the Indonesia Badminton Association as the women’s singles head coach.
Adhering to the 1967 Industrial Relations Act, Indra lodged an appeal with the Industrial Relations Department within 60 days of his termination on November 26, citing illegal termination.
As per the act, he is seeking compensation equivalent to 24 months’ salary for what he deems an unjust termination of his contract. – January 28, 2024