BritishIndia to stay put at Suria KLCC until suit settled by court

BritishIndia will stay put at its premises at Suria KLCC until the suit filed by its owner BTC Clothier Sdn Bhd against the popular mall at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) is heard by the High Court here.

BTC Clothier had filed an injunction application to the court today to prevent Suria KLCC from disturbing its business at the said premises.

Lawyer N. Sivaraj, who is representing BTC Clothier, when met by reporters, said the injunction hearing was set for hearing before Judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin today but became academic after Suria KLCC Sdn Bhd sent a letter to BTC Clothier on terms relating to the suit.

"The parties will maintain the status quo," said Sivaraj after meeting the judge in chambers in the presence of lawyer T. Kuhendran, who represented Suria KLCC.

Sivaraj added that the court had set March 5 for case management and to hear the suit on June 29 and 30.

In July 2014, BTC Clothier as the plaintiffs had filed the suit against Suria KLCC claiming that the defendants had wrongfully terminated their lease agreement via a letter dated July 4, 2014.

In their statement of claim, BTC Clothier, which is renting a lot for BritishIndia at Level 1, Suria KLCC for almost 16 years, claimed that the defendants had threatened to close the BritishIndia premises at 10pm on July 7, 2014 if the plaintiffs refused to accept a new tenancy offer from the defendants.

BTC Clothier said the new offer made via e-mail on July 4, 2014 had asked the company to sign the accompanying letter of offer for a lot unit at Level 2, Suria KLCC, without first discussing the matter.

BTC Clothier wants the court to declare that the existing rental agreement between the two parties is still valid and that the action of the defendant to terminate it is unlawful.

BTC Clothier also demanded that the defendants or their employees do not disturb the running of the business at the said premises, or close or block product display.

The company is also seeking general damages, interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

BTC Clothier, which sells branded clothing and household items, has 13 branches in Malaysia and five in Singapore besides a retail chain all over Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, Datuk Seri Hasan Malek had also asked the management of Suria KLCC to explain its order for a relocation.