Daud Bakar tuntut RM21.15 juta, dakwa nama, reputasi disalah guna

Islam scholar Daud Bakar has filed two notices seeking RM21.15 million from two individuals associated with a venture capital scheme, alleging misuse of their names and professional reputations without their consent. Bakar, who previously served as a Sharia advisory board chairman at Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia, issued notices to former Energy Eco Bhd (EEB) executive director Norliza Tajudin and AUF MBZ Consortium PLT founder Mahadi Badrul Zaman on August 18.

Bakar claims his name, position, and professional standing have been used without his knowledge or consent to enhance the scheme's credibility and attract investors. Both Norliza and Mahadi have been given 14 days to respond, and if they fail to do so, Bakar's lawyers are advised to initiate legal proceedings. Bakar, appointed as chairman and director of EEB on July 19, 2021, maintains he was never involved in the daily management, finances, operations, stakeholder meetings, or administration of the company's funds.

The scheme discussions were reportedly held in several meetings in 2021, but Bakar claims he was unaware of the amount raised, how it was spent, or how repayments to investors were managed. In his notice to Norliza, Bakar alleges she and other EEB management personnel used his name and professional reputation to gain investor trust.

In a separate notice, he claims Mahadi aggressively promoted his involvement with EEB to enhance the scheme's credibility. Bakar claims he only became aware of the misuse of his name after EEB failed to pay dividends, and investors began contacting him. In January 2023, Bakar signed a settlement letter acknowledging a RM4.6 million advance payment, which he later paid RM750,000 from his personal savings to protect his professional reputation and standing.

Now, he is seeking RM750,000 from each of Norliza and Mahadi, in addition to RM10 million in damages for each person's defamation of his reputation and financial expenses. The dispute arose when Bakar, Norliza, and Mahadi appeared before separate criminal proceedings related to EEB and the venture capital scheme. On May 11, Bakar and Norliza pleaded not guilty in Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to seven criminal charges involving RM10.55 million in financial misconduct.

They face up to 20 years in prison and fines if found guilty. They also face separate charges related to mismanagement of EEB's securities activities without a proper securities license or registration. On February 23, Bakar denied a defamation charge against AUF MBZ Consortium for conducting unauthorized securities activities without a valid capital market services permit or registration.

Mahadi also pleaded not guilty to two charges of conducting securities-related business through AUF MBZ Consortium without a license or registration. Both Bakar and Mahadi face charges under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007, which holds corporate officers responsible for their company's misconduct in controlled securities activities.

Penalties for conviction include fines of up to RM10 million, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.