By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, June 16: The High Court here has granted Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib additional time to respond to a lawsuit filed by Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd after he sought to strike out or stay the proceedings brought against him.
Judicial Commissioner Zaleha Mohd Yusuf Pan on Monday (June 15) allowed Abu Bekir to file a reply affidavit following an application by his counsel, who requested more time to address Cahya Mata’ detailed affidavit in opposition.
The court ordered that the reply affidavit be filed by June 24, 2026, and rescheduled case management to June 29.
A previously fixed case management date on June 18 was vacated.
Abu Bekir had filed his application on May 29, 2026, together with supporting documents, including an affidavit, a certificate of urgency and a notice of intention to use affidavit.
In response, Cahya Mata served its affidavit in opposition and notice of intention to use affidavit dated June 10, 2026, which had been filed a day earlier on June 9.
The dispute stems from allegations by Cahya Mata that Abu Bekir mishandled confidential company information, claims that emerged amid boardroom tensions following his reassignment from deputy chairman to director.
As part of the ongoing proceedings, Cahya Mata is also seeking an injunction to prevent him from attending board meetings and disclosing confidential corporate information pending the disposal of the suit.
Abu Bekir is represented by counsel Satinder Singh Sandhu, while Cahya Mata is represented by a legal team led by Alvin Chong. — DayakDaily
