Court throws out PacifiCity buyers' case against SDB
Published on: Sat, Aug 02, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: The High Court has dismissed a suit by PacifiCity condominium buyers against Sabah Development Bank (SDB), ruling the bank owed no duty of care. The purchasers, represented by Messrs Ronnie Cham & Co., had alleged negligence after the troubled development was abandoned despite a 2020 completion certificate. SDB's lawyers argued the claims were baseless and a broad attempt to target all parties. The Court agreed and dismissed the case in full. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
8 hours ago
- Daily Express
Sabah opens first One Stop Labour Centre
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Sim and others officiate the centre. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah's first One Stop Labour Centre has been launched on Monday to streamline access to employment and labour-related services. Located at Sutera Avenue, the centre was officiated by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and brings together 14 key agencies under one roof. These include the Department of Labour, Department of Industrial Relations, Department of Skills Development, Socso, Niosh, and HRD Corp. Steven said the centre is part of the ministry's No Wrong Door Policy, aiming to simplify public access to services and reduce the need for multiple office visits. He added that Sabah's pilot model will help shape the future expansion of such centres nationwide, alongside ongoing reforms in levy processing and training support. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
8 hours ago
- Daily Express
Government affirms trade unions as development partners
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim with the trade unions' representatives. - Pic by CMD The State Government recognises trade unions as strategic partners in shaping an inclusive and forward-looking development agenda, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Speaking at the state-level Trade Union Day at ITCC, Hajiji stressed the importance of unions in areas beyond wages, including policy-making, education, and technology adoption. He said the government remains committed to supporting the trade union movement and creating a fair, sustainable employment ecosystem that benefits all Sabahans. Hajiji described the assembly as a landmark event signalling a new chapter for structured and inclusive unionism under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan. He noted that Sabah recorded over 1.7 million in labour force last year, contributing to a GDP of RM84.3 billion through sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services. There are currently 92 registered trade unions in the state with over 60,000 members across the government, private, and statutory sectors, he added. Hajiji urged union leaders to champion workers' welfare and to make Sabah's voice heard at the national Trade Union Assembly in Penang this September. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Why are more wealthy mainland companies coming to Hong Kong for mediation?
An increasing number of wealthy mainland families have been opting to come to Hong Kong for mediation services to solve disputes instead of going to court, according to an expert. 'There is an increased demand for family mediation services in Hong Kong in recent years, particularly from [mainland] Chinese families,' said Ann Cooley, founder of Hong Kong-based Cooley Family Office, which has offered mediation services to help family offices handle their disputes for three decades. 'Hong Kong is going to benefit from such a trend because the city is an international mediation centre with many experts in this area,' Cooley said in an interview on Thursday. 'Being part of China and the Greater Bay Area means that many wealthy mainland families can take the high-speed train to travel to Hong Kong within an hour to meet their bankers to manage their wealth, as well as to find experts to resolve their family disputes,' she said. The hidden disputes of wealthy mainland families have come under the microscope recently with the legal battle surrounding the family of Zong Qinghou, the late founder of China's biggest beverage company, Hangzhou Wahaha Group, barely 12 months after his death. Three plaintiffs claiming to be his children sued chairwoman and CEO Kelly Zong Fuli in Hong Kong and Hangzhou in eastern Zhejiang province, demanding her to honour the late founder's will, which promised them trusts valued at US$700 million each. Before the lawsuit was filed, Kelly, 43, was known as the billionaire's only child. On Friday, the lawsuit by Jacky Zong Jicang, Jessie Zong Jiele and Jerry Zong Jisheng will come before the High Court in Hong Kong. Cooley said she believed similar court cases would be brought to Hong Kong, as many affluent families on the mainland had not prepared for a smooth transfer of wealth. 'We are living through an unprecedented wave of wealth transfer in Asia, particularly in mainland China, where first-generation entrepreneurs are passing the baton to the new generations,' she said. 'Many of these families have no experience in how to prepare for succession planning, which is why we are going to see more disputes in the years ahead.' Cooley said mediation was preferable to litigation because the cost was lower. Mediations allow for closed-door meetings to seek solutions that are accepted by all parties and there is no need for public disclosures. 'Mediation puts families in the driver's seat,' she said. 'I do not believe families should go to court unless it is the last resort.' In addition, many wealthy mainland families like to come to Hong Kong instead of litigating closer to home. 'These families do not want their friends in Beijing or Shanghai to know about their finances or their personal affairs,' Cooley said. 'Mediation can prevent their family matters from getting into the ess.' Some families use mediation to reach decisions on when and how to sell the family assets and how to move companies forward. 'Sometimes the younger generations want to use artificial intelligence or other technology in the operation of the companies, while the older generations want to do things in their own ways,' she said. 'Mediation can also help them find a solution.' And while court decisions had a stronger enforcement element, mediation agreements were reached voluntarily, which meant families were usually more committed to following through with them, she said. 'Most families are looking for harmonious outcomes rather than vengeful and destructive ones,' she said. 'That is why mediation, even without traditional enforcement power, often works better for keeping families together and moving forward.' - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
