In a consent judgment recorded before High Court judge Roz Mawar Rozain, all defendants – except communications minister Fahmi Fadzil – agreed to issue a press statement clarifying that Nasir Ibrahim was not dismissed due to misconduct.

The statement will also include Finas’s appreciation of his contributions during his time in service.

As part of the settlement, Nasir will withdraw his lawsuit in exchange for an undisclosed amount of compensation, with no order to costs.

Lawyer A Srimurugan, who represented Nasir, confirmed the matter.

Counsel Nasbal Harun acted for Finas, its board chairman Kamil Ahmad Othman and directors Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Idwan Ariff Abdul Rahman and Noor Azam Shairi. Senior federal counsel Zairani Tugiran appeared for Fahmi.

In his writ and statement of claim filed on June 28, 2023, Nasir said he was appointed the Finas CEO on a two-year contract commencing on Nov 1, 2021, with a monthly salary of RM20,000 and RM6,800 in allowances.

However, he said, his contract was terminated prematurely, effective May 31, 2023, via a letter signed by the minister on May 5.

Nasir argued that his appointment was governed by the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000, which allowed the minister to terminate his services with 30 days’ notice or by paying one month’s salary instead.

He said he was asked to leave in June after being paid one month’s salary.

Nasir argued that the termination was done in bad faith, as he was not provided with a good reason for his removal, and that it had caused him embarrassment and mental distress.

He had sought a court declaration nullifying the termination letter signed by Kamil, along with RM135,000 in special damages and general damages.