Travel Bill Suit Now Targets Azmin Ali S Four Children

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Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali’s four children have been joined with him as defendants in a lawsuit seeking the recovery of RM328,901 for alleged unpaid flight tickets and hotel stays
On Jan 23, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court allowed plaintiff YHA Travel & Tours (M) Sdn Bhd’s application to add Farah Shazliyana, Farah Afifah, Farah Amira, and Mohamed Ameer Shazrin as defendants
According to a copy of the amended writ of summons sighted by Malaysiakini today, Azmin (above), 55, is now listed as the first defendant; while his children Farah Shazliyana, 29, Farah Afifah, 24, Farah Amira, 26, and Mohamed Ameer Shazrin, 28, are listed as second, third, fourth and fifth defendants respectively
The amended writ, filed by legal firm Messrs Fong Yap & Gan at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court Registry on Feb 5, bore the words “dipinda selaras dengan perintah mahkamah bertarikh Jan 23” (amended in line with the court order dated Jan 23)

On Dec 30 last year, it was reported that YHA had filed an application to include Azmin’s four children as defendants in the legal action
The amended writ stated that plaintiff YHA seeks payment of RM328,901 from first defendant Azmin
The cause paper stated that in the alternative, YHA seeks an order for Azmin to pay RM167,332, Farah Syazliyana to pay RM8,510, Farah Afifah to pay RM3,880, Farah Amira to pay RM6,400, and Mohamed Ameer Shazrin to pay RM92,280, as well as interest from all five defendants
On Nov 5 last year, it was reported that YHA had sued Azmin for the recovery of RM328,901 for unpaid flight tickets and hotel stays
YHA claimed the amount owed was for travels between September 2018 and August 2019
According to a breakdown of the claim, the firm had booked flight tickets and hotel stays for Azmin, his family, friends and ministry staff
The firm said it had to advance payments to airlines first to secure the tickets and would be paid by Azmin or his representative every three to four months, among others
On Dec 14 last year, it was reported that Azmin had filed a counterclaim against YHA, alleging that the travel bill suit has an ulterior motive linked to the purported sex videos involving PKR deputy president and former Santubong PKR Youth chief Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz (below)
In his Statement of Defence, Azmin claimed he had a 20-year-long friendly business relationship with the travel agency, which gave him "considerable latitude in settling any outstanding sum" and that the suit had breached their "understanding"
Azmin admitted liability to the sum owed by himself and his children under the age of 20, which according to him amounted to only RM162,272
However, he said his children who are older than 20 will have to pay for the sum owed themselves
Similarly, Azmin said he is also not liable for any sum due under the Economic Affairs Ministry's account
According to the online cause list at ecourtservices.kehakiman.gov.my the legal action is set for case management before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court Registry at 9am tomorrow (Feb 18). -Mkini

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