Ex-Finas chief sues govt for unlawful termination after contract ended early

The former CEO of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) has filed a suit against the government citing unlawful termination from his position, after his contract was ended four months ahead of schedule early this month. 

Md Nasir Ibrahim filed the suit at the High Court naming Finas, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Finas board chairman Kamil Ahmad Mohd Othman, ministry deputy secretary-general Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, and Finas board members Noor Azam Shairi and Idwan Ariff Abdul Rahman, the New Straits Times reported today. 

Citing his statement of claim, the report said Nasir alleged that his termination was done in bad faith, incorrectly, and without reasonable justification. 

Nasir was appointed as Finas CEO for a period of two years from Nov 1, 2021, until Oct 30, 2023.

He was appointed to replace the agency's former CEO, Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri, who resigned and ended his tenure on Oct 15, 2021.

The agency said on June 1 that Nasir's contract was terminated as part of a move to revamp the organisation and bring about changes to the local film industry. 

Fahmi meanwhile said it had been a board decision and part of Finas' restructuring of policies to determine its future direction. 

According to NST, Nasir claimed that Finas did not have a validly constituted board consisting of nine members at the time. 

"The first defendant (Finas) at the material time was invalid as it only had four members.

"Therefore, it cannot make any decision or act as a corporation to issue the termination letter to the plaintiff," he was quoted as saying. 

Nasir is said to be seeking a court order for his termination letter to be declared null and void, as well as RM135,000 in special damages in addition to 5% interest.