A HIGH Court judge yesterday ordered Bank Bumiputra Malaysia Berhad to pay its former top man in Hong Kong more than $800,000 in unpaid benefits.
Ibrahim Jaafar, who gave evidence for the Crown in a trial arising out of the 'Carrian scandal' claimed the money was owed to him as part of a package deal arranged between his employers and the Attorney-General's chambers.
Mrs Justice Le Pichon criticised the bank for the way in which it had dealt with Mr Jaafar's claims.
His employment was terminated in February 1991. The delay in settling his claims was 'wholly unnecessary', said the judge.
She added: 'The manner in which it dealt with some of the claims would have exasperated anyone with less patience and fortitude than the plaintiff.' Mr Jaafar gave evidence for the Crown in the 1986 fraud trial after being granted immunity from prosecution.
He had been suspended from his position in May 1985 amid allegations relating to his conduct as general manager of the bank's Hong Kong subsidiary, Bank Bumiputra Finance Ltd (BMFL).
Jonathan Shaw, for Mr Jaafar, told the court during the civil trial that Bank Bumiputra Malaysia (BBMB) wrote to him in October 1985 and agreed to grant him immunity from any claims arising from his position with the bank.