M’sian Fashion Designer & Ex-PM’s Former Son-in-Law Declared Bankrupt Over RM5 Mil Unpaid Loan

Famous Malaysian fashion designer, Datuk Jovian Mandagie, was declared bankrupt by the High Court (Insolvency Division) yesterday (July 3) after failing to pay his loan.

The total amount of the friendly loan from an engineering company is RM5.28 million.

Senior Assistant Registrar Muhammad Faisal Zulkifli made the decision in today’s proceedings after allowing the creditors’ petition submitted by Cekap Air Sdn Bhd, which was filed on November 20 last year.

According to the petition, Jovian, who is also the former son-in-law of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, as the judgment debtor, within six months before the date of the petition, had committed an act of bankruptcy, namely failing to comply with the Bankruptcy Notice dated May 21 last year.

On May 16, 2023, the company filed a lawsuit against Jovian for allegedly failing to repay RM5 million lent to him on a friendship loan basis.

Jovian was also claimed to be an acquaintance of the director of Cekap Air, Yong Zhen Wei. Cekap Air claimed that it lent RM5 million to Jovian at Jovian’s verbal request on February 25, 2022, and transferred the money to the client account of the law firm representing Jovian.

As of May 21, 2024, Jovian owed Cekap Air RM 5,284,340.66, including interest.

Lawyer Siti Nur Athirazati Rohizad, who represented the company, said her party filed a Bankruptcy Notice after Jovian failed to comply with the direct judgment issued by the High Court.

Siti said that after receiving permission to issue a Bankruptcy Notice, her party then filed a Creditor’s Petition, which the court allowed. Jovian applied to suspend and cancel the notice and petition, but all were rejected by the court, reported Sinar Harian and BERNAMA.

Also read: M’sian Businessman with RM7 Million Debt Lives in RM250 Room Without Toilet, Uses R&R Facilities