KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): The Federal Court has ordered Ho Hup Construction Co Bhd’s former project director of its wholly-owned unit Bukit Jalil Development Sdn Bhd (BJD), Woo Thin Choy, to pay it US$2.5 million (RM9.9 million) in loss and damages following a five-year civil suit.

In a bourse filing today, Ho Hup said the Federal Court has dismissed Woo’s leave application against the court of appeal’s decision with RM20,000 costs on April 7, 2016.

“Hence the defendant is to pay the company US$2.5 million, together with the total costs of RM70,000. The company has been advised by its solicitors to pursue the defendant for the sums adjudged as due to it from the defendant,” Ho Hup said.

On Sept 9, 2011, Ho Hup announced it was suing Woo after it claimed the defendant had caused the company to suffer US$2.5 million in loss and damages. It had also alleged that Woo had breached his fiduciar/contractual duties. 

The suit was initially dismissed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Jan 16, 2014. But Ho Hup appealed to the Court of Appeal and on Aug 20, 2014, the appellate court allowed the appeal and set aside the High Court’s decision.

It also ordered the defendant to pay Ho Hup the sum claimed, together with RM50,000 in costs.

Subsequently, Woo filed an appeal application to the Federal Court to turn over the appellate court's decision, but the application was dismissed, with RM20,000 costs.

"Hence, the defendant is to pay the company US$2.5 million, together with the total costs of RM70,000," said Ho Hup today. 

At the end of trading hours today, Ho Hup dropped three sen or 3.45% to 84 sen, for a market capitalisation of RM292.6 million.