Influencer Ms Puiyi wins RM4.3 million suit in default judgment
Published on: Monday, July 29, 2024
By:
Predeep Nambiar, FMT
Siew Pui Yi showing a picture of her former business partner Lai Kai Jian, also known as ‘Mentos’.
GEORGE TOWN: Social media influencer Siew Pui Yi today secured a victory against her former business partner Lai Kai Jian after he failed to appear in court.
The High Court delivered its judgment in default on July 26, awarding Siew RM4.3 million which she claimed was fraudulently obtained by Lai, also known as Mentos, under the pretext of settling her tax arrears.
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In her lawsuit filed earlier this year, Siew accused Lai of absconding with the funds she had provided to pay off her tax dues to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
She said because of the unpaid tax arrears, she had missed four events in Australia due to an LHDN travel ban.
It was upsetting as I could not travel overseas for three months. Fortunately, this has been resolved, she said.
In a press conference today, her lawyer K Mahendran said the terms of settlement remained under wraps upon the advice of LHDN.
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He said Lai’s whereabouts had yet to be determined, with no developments yet in a case of fraud filed with the George Town police.
Mahendran said the High Court’s ruling in favour of Siew granted her the full amount claimed, including interest and legal costs.
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He said the suit was served to Lai’s last known address in the Klang Valley, and advertised in major newspapers.
Siew previously claimed that she had given Lai the money in several instalments, expecting him to liaise with tax agents to clear her arrears.
According to court filings, her ordeal began when she was detained at KLIA on Dec 30, 2023 after being blacklisted by LHDN for the nonpayment of taxes.
She claimed the incident had tarnished her reputation as a prominent social media personality and entertainer, both in the country and internationally.
Siew’s legal team pleaded that Lai had orchestrated a fraudulent scheme, instructing her to remain silent during a Zoom meeting with a purported tax agent named Jackand several LHDN officers.
Despite these payments, Siew discovered that her tax debt remained unpaid.
This judgment is a significant relief for Ms Siew, who was deceived and financially burdened by an individual she trusted, said Mahendran.
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