She said the man known as “Mentos”, a 29-year-old director of her company, was asked to settle the firm’s tax arrears with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) last year.

However, she claimed that he absconded without paying the dues.

The model, popularly known as Ms Puiyi, claimed she also realised that the man had misappropriated funds from her company PY Empire Sdn Bhd since June 2022.

“I was introduced to him by a mutual friend in 2019 and he came across as a person of high integrity.

“He managed my company’s human resources matters and invested (my) company funds,” she told a press conference at Green Hall here.

“I trusted him and gave him the sum (of nearly RM4.3 million). But he did not settle the income tax arrears as instructed. Due to his actions, I have suffered a loss,” she said.

Her lawyer, K Mahendran, said a report was lodged on the matter last October and the police had recorded Siew’s statement several times.

However, there had been no prosecution or update on the case, he said.

Mahendran said the civil suit was filed at the High Court here yesterday to reclaim the RM4.3 million, costs and other damages deemed fit by the court.