KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 22): National Feedlot Corp Sdn Bhd (NFC) along with its chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Ismail and nine others have today indicated that they want to amend their defence and also file a counterclaim against the Malaysian Government for its suit filed against them over a RM250 million loan.

As a result, the High Court (commercial division) Justice S Nantha Balan said the application has to be made by Sept 13, the next case management date.

Senior federal counsels Mohd Radhi Abbas and Nurhafizza Azizan told reporters this after meeting Justice Nantha Balan in his chambers earlier.

The date for further case management on Dec 18 is still maintained, they added.

The government's suit is against NFC, Salleh, his children Wan Shahinur Izmir Mohamad Salleh, Wan Izzana Fatimah Zabedah Mohamad Salleh, Wan Shahinur Izran Mohamad Salleh and companies Meatworks Corp Sdn Bhd, Techknowlogy Imageware (M) Sdn Bhd, Real Food Company Sdn Bhd, National Meat & Livestock Corporation Sdn Bhd, Asian Bioscience Corporation Sdn Bhd and Agroscience Industries Sdn Bhd.

The claim against NFC and the Salleh family amounted to RM253.62 million — representing the sum owed to the government, together with an interest rate of 2% per annum and default interest on RM224.77 million as at April 30.

Additionally, Justice Nantha Balan allowed the addition of three days to the trial, which begins January next year.

"The judge added three more days to the trial, which are Feb 12, 13, 14. In total there are eight dates for the trial," said Mohd Radhi.

The court earlier fixed Jan 13, 14, 15, 17 and 20 for the trial.