Projek ladang durian gagal, ahli perniagaan diperintah bayar balik RM470,000

A legal dispute has arisen over a failed durian plantation project in Selangor, resulting in the owner being ordered to repay RM470,000 to three investors. Shah Alam High Court Judge Anita Harun continued the trial against Lee Beng Tiong, but exempted Lee from jointly paying the remaining RM100,000 to two other co-owners of Agrigrow Enterprise.

The court found that Lee had personally promised to return RM570,000 paid by investors under a joint venture agreement before arranging part of the RM100,000 payment. The dispute stems from several agreements signed in 2022 involving Agrigrow, Supernova Legacy Sdn Bhd, and two other plaintiffs. According to the plaintiffs, Agrigrow was supposed to pay a small levy and jointly develop 15 plots of land in Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, Gombak, for commercial durian cultivation.

However, the plaintiffs claim that the land plots were never handed over and are now rejecting the repayment of their investments, while seeking the return of the remaining RM470,000. This remained unpaid, they filed a lawsuit against the three co-owners at the Selayang Session Court. On April 29, the Session Court allowed the trial to continue against the three co-owners, determining them jointly and severally liable for the total amount.

The co-owners then appealed to the High Court, which has now granted part of the appeal. Anita stated that two co-owners joined Agrigrow in February 2023, after the agreement was signed, and were not involved in Lee's promise to return the money or Agrigrow's obligations under the agreement. She said this situation raises a question that requires a full hearing to determine their liability.

M Gobinath represented Lee, while Derrick Oon and Low Jia Yi acted for Supernova and the two other plaintiffs.