KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 2): The Sessions Court (civil division) here has fixed March 24 to deliver its decision on Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli's third-party discovery application with regards to former Sapura Energy Bhd chief executive officer and managing director Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin's remuneration and incentive package paid by the company.

Session Court judge Lailatul Zuraida Harron @ Haron fixed the date on Tuesday (Jan 31) after hearing submissions on Rafizi's application regarding the matter following a defamation suit filed by Shahril last year.

On Jan 9, she allowed Rafizi to amend his statement of defence regarding the suit. As a result, Rafizi filed his amended defence on Jan 18.

This was confirmed by Rafizi's counsel Navpreet Singh when contacted by The Edge.

Rafizi, who is also Pandan MP, had on Nov 24 filed the discovery application and amended his defence which he had earlier filed last July. In the discovery application, Rafizi had sought the court's permission for Sapura Energy to reveal Shahril's remuneration and incentive package.

Shahril filed the suit against Rafizi through solicitors Messrs Zul Rafique & Partners last May, following Rafizi's statements in three articles published on the Pandan MP's social media accounts in reaction to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wanting the government to inject more funds into Sapura Energy to save it.

Rafizi had opposed Najib's view of further bailing out Sapura Energy, claiming that public funds should not be used to protect the elite. 

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