Nasir, 62, also wants a declaration that a May 31 termination letter signed by Finas board chairman Kamil Ahmad Othman is null and void under the law.

In the writ and statement of claim filed by solicitors Srimurugan & Co on Wednesday, the plaintiff is seeking about RM135,000 in special damages plus 5% interest.

Nasir said the premature termination had caused him embarrassment and mental stress.

He named communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil, Finas and its directors – Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Idwan Ariff Abdul Rahman and Noor Azam Shairi – as defendants in the suit.

In a June 1 statement, Finas confirmed that Nasir has been removed as CEO, following his own claim that he had been sacked.

Nasir, who was appointed Finas CEO on a two-year contract on Nov 1, 2021, also wants general damages and other relief deemed fit by the court.

In the statement of claim sighted by FMT, he said the appointment came with a monthly salary of RM20,000 and another RM6,800 in allowances.

He said his appointment is governed by the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 and the minister could terminate his services by giving him a 30-day notice or pay him one month’s salary in lieu of the notice period.

Nasir claimed he was asked to leave in June after being paid the one month’s salary.

However, he said the termination was done in bad faith and he was not given a good reason for his removal.

According to Nasir, his last day of service was on May 31 based on a letter signed by the minister on May 5.

He argued that Finas did not have a validly constituted board of at least nine people at the time. As there were only four, the board was therefore not empowered to issue a termination letter, he said.

Nasir added that Fahmi had on June 1 told the media that the decision to terminate him was made by the Finas board without any interference from him.