SHAH ALAM – A “Datuk Seri” is expected to be arrested by police today after the Kuala Lumpur High Court sentenced him to seven days in prison for failing to settle outstanding salaries amounting to RM1.5 million to players from Kuantan FA and Marcerra United.
The sentence was handed down on January 29, but the court suspended the decision for two weeks until February 9 to give the former owner of both clubs time to settle the outstanding wages.
However, lawyer Suhail Rahimi Abdul Razak from Zarkasya & Co, who is representing the players, said that until today, no payments had been made.
“Since no payments have been made yet, we have sent a letter to the court to continue with the order to carry out the sentence.
“An order to arrest the defendant has been issued this morning, and the detaining process will be carried out soon by police. The defendant may be detained today or tomorrow; we don’t know… we will leave that up to police,” he said at a press conference at the firm’s office here today.
Suhail added that he was not going to reveal the name of the defendant just yet because he had yet to be detained.
“The only way the defendant can avoid going to prison is by making a full settlement of the outstanding amount of RM1.5 million.
“Even if he does enter prison, he can still make the full settlement and can be released before his seven-day sentence is up.
“I still have high hopes that the defendant can make the full settlement and the case will be considered closed, but if there is no payment made, he will serve his time,” he added.
Suhail said that if the defendant were to serve his seven-day sentence, he would still pursue other processes to ensure justice for the players.
“The defendant has stepped forward and admitted liability; we can pursue declaring him bankrupt or confiscating his property to settle the outstanding wages owed.
“That will be up to the players, and we have not decided yet,” said Suhail.
On January 19, 2022, players from Kuantan FA and Marcerra United filed a suit against the defendant after he failed to pay them for the 2018 season.
The total demanded was RM3 million, and a total of RM500,000 was paid by the defendant in December 2022, which left RM2.5 million outstanding.
However, the defendant failed to settle that amount, which prompted the plaintiff to file a second committal process at the start of last year.
The defendant made promises to the court that he would settle the outstanding debts, and after further negotiations, the amount was reduced to RM1.5 million after he agreed to make a lump sum payment, which he failed to do.
Professional Footballers’ Association of Malaysia chief executive Izham Ismail, president Safee Sali, vice-president Razman Roslan, former Kuantan FA player Abdul Ghani Abd Rahman and ex-Marcerra player Izer Hamkha Mohd Haizal were also present at the press conference. – February 13, 2024