‘Smitten’ Singapore CEO splashed S$468,000 on girlfriend before suing her after break-up

‘Smitten’ Singapore CEO splashed S$468,000 on girlfriend before suing her after break-up



Senior Judge Lee Seiu Kin ruled that most of the money claimed by Chander Agarwal, CEO and managing director of TCI Express, had been given to his former girlfriend Felicia Lee as gifts rather than loans. — Pexels pic


Summary

• The Singapore High Court dismissed Chander Agarwal's attempt to reclaim S$468,090 spent on his ex-girlfriend, ruling the money as gifts rather than loans.
• Agarwal could not provide evidence that Felicia Lee agreed to repay him, and the judge was sceptical of a handwritten agreement presented during the case.
• Despite claiming otherwise, Agarwal confirmed in a past exchange that repayment was unnecessary and the court found his claims unsupported by credible evidence.

By Malay Mail
First Published: Thursday, 10 Sep 2026 5:24 PM MYT


SINGAPORE, Sept 10 — The Singapore High Court has rejected a listed company chief executive’s bid to recover S$468,090 (RM1.5 million) he spent on his former girlfriend during their more than one-year relationship.

The Straits Times reported that Senior Judge Lee Seiu Kin ruled that most of the money claimed by Chander Agarwal, CEO and managing director of TCI Express, had been given to his former girlfriend Felicia Lee as gifts rather than loans.


The amounts included about S$206,000 in credit card spending, S$129,000 on overseas trips, S$17,000 for a feng shui master for her flat and S$30,000 for a Stanford-NUS executive programme.


“The evidence before me clearly shows that the claimant, smitten by the defendant, had showered her with expensive gifts during their relationship,” Lee said.


“Unfortunately, when their relationship ended on a sour note, the claimant became embittered and was determined to extract a price from her.”

Agarwal also claimed he had lent Lee another S$50,000 to settle a debt with her former employer, but the judge found he had failed to prove that he had given her the disputed sums or that they were loans.

Lee said Agarwal could not produce evidence showing that Lee had requested the money as loans or agreed to repay him, while the circumstances surrounding a handwritten agreement he presented to the court were also found to be suspect.


The purported agreement stated that monthly sums of S$10,000 to S$25,000 received by Lee were his money, but she denied signing or seeing the document before the court proceedings.

The judge gave limited weight to a handwriting expert’s opinion that the signature was genuine, noting that Agarwal had not mentioned the agreement in his original statement of claim and only referred to it seven months later in an amended claim.

Lee also said the document was contradicted by the actual payments, which were made in varying amounts and for different purposes rather than as a monthly S$10,000 to S$25,000 payment.

The court heard that Agarwal had previously given Lee expensive gifts without expecting repayment, including luxury items from Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Prada, while also paying most of the expenses for a European trip they took together.

In a WhatsApp exchange in August 2022, when Lee asked how she could repay him, Agarwal replied: “No need. I am not a moneylender.”

Agarwal and Lee met on a flight in 2019 and began a romantic relationship in September 2022, but separated in December 2023 after he suspected her of infidelity, prompting him to file the lawsuit in March 2024.

The judge also rejected Agarwal’s claim that Lee had induced him to spend the money by falsely representing that they were in a genuine and exclusive relationship and that she would repay him, noting that evidence showed Agarwal had sexual relations with other women during their relationship.

***

Chinese would described the bloke as a 'Kee-Mah-Loon ay Tua Chai Thau' (Cameron Highlands' grown radish), wakakaka - real Tai Seow (dungu besar lah)

Zahid still an Umno asset, but baggage piling up, say analysts

Zahid still an Umno asset, but baggage piling up, say analysts


3 hours ago
Minderjeet Kaur


They say Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's old controversies and questions about Umno's direction could test the party president's leadership

With GE16 drawing closer, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi must grapple with the question of whether the party has reformed its image in the wake of the heavy defeat suffered at the 2022 nationwide polls.

PETALING JAYA: Despite leading Umno to convincing victories in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, analysts say the bigger test for party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be sustaining the party’s momentum amid mounting controversies and questions over its direction.

Sivamurugan Pandian.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Sivamurugan Pandian said Zahid remains an asset to Umno due to his firm grip on the party, ability to manage political alliances and success in keeping the Barisan Nasional lynchpin relevant as a key partner in the federal government.

However, he warned that the Bagan Datuk MP’s political baggage was piling up.


Sivamurugan said issues that could damage Umno’s image include the recent dispute over spending at Zahid’s rural and regional development ministry, controversies involving Tabung Haji and Felda, as well as the party’s alleged role in an attempt to remove the Negeri Sembilan ruler.


He said it would be unfair to blame Zahid for all three issues since some predated his leadership, but acknowledged that they have nonetheless added to his political baggage.


What has worked in Zahid’s favour, he said, was BN and Umno’s performance in the two recent state elections.

He said Zahid has helped Umno bounce back from its poor performance in the 2022 general election and 2025 Sabah state election with strong showings in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, resulting in BN leading both state governments.

“Zahid has brought Umno back into the game, but the challenge is sustaining that momentum.

“Recent controversies risk turning Umno’s electoral recovery into an image reversal. The question now is whether he can prevent the baggage from taking Umno backwards,” said Sivamurugan.


Where is Umno heading?

Jayum Jawan.

Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Jayum Jawan said Umno’s recent victories may have raised hopes of a comeback but questions remain over where the party is heading.

He pointed out that BN’s chosen partner for the next general election (GE16) remains uncertain, with the coalition working with Perikatan Nasional in Negeri Sembilan while still being allies with Pakatan Harapan in the federal government.

Jayum warned that these different positions could leave supporters unsure about Umno’s direction. “He is also seen as lacking clear strategies on how to sustain the blue wave seen in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.”


The analyst said Zahid was also faced with the challenge of leading a party still weighed down by controversies involving some of its past and present leaders.

He said allegations of wrongdoing involving Umno figures could dent the party’s image among its own supporters, particularly as many had held key positions in institutions now facing scrutiny.

“There is so much about creating bogeymen to put the blame on, but in the final analysis, positions of power in many institutions were previously or presently held by its members.”

Syaza Shukri.


Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said Zahid has shown that he remains prepared to defend Umno’s interests despite leading the party into a federal alliance with PH.

However, she said there was still uncertainty over Zahid’s actual stance towards the unity government.

Syaza added that the recent controversies afflicting Umno raise questions about the grand old party’s direction following its heavy defeat at the 2022 general election.

“Is Umno reforming itself as promised after the 2022 general election or is it simply ‘business as usual’?” she said.

Lawyer disputes Ismail’s claim proclamation signed under duress

Lawyer disputes Ismail’s claim proclamation signed under duress


Lawyer acting for disputed chieftains says the Negeri Sembilan MB's claim that he was forced to sign the document was an afterthought

Yesterday, Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Ismail Lasim said he signed the proclamation seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang Dipertuan Besar under duress. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A lawyer representing four purported Negeri Sembilan chieftains has disputed menteri besar Ismail Lasim’s claim that he was forced to sign a proclamation seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang Dipertuan Besar.

Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz alleged that Ismail’s claim that he signed the document under duress was a mere afterthought, Harian Metro reported.

“There was no element of coercing the menteri besar to make a decision (to sign the proclamation) that night,” he was quoted as saying.


Yesterday, Ismail said he signed the proclamation seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz as the Negeri Sembilan ruler under duress and that he had lodged a police report on the matter.

The menteri besar rejected the validity of the document, saying it did not comply with the procedures provided for under Article 10 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959.


Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the party’s three vice-presidents met Ismail this afternoon to obtain his explanation on the matter.

On Wednesday night, four purported undangs held a press conference where they showed a document allegedly containing a proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz as Yang Dipertuan Besar.

The document, dated Aug 3, was said to have been signed by Ismail and the four chieftains. The chieftains claimed that Ismail signed the proclamation under Article 10(2) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959.

The positions of the chieftains are also under dispute, with the palace insisting that three of them were not undangs at the time they announced Tuanku Muhriz’s purported removal in April.

Khairul said Ismail was also joined by his lawyer, Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, on the night of Aug 3, when the menteri besar signed the proclamation.

He added that Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar, who was proclaimed as the “new” Yang Dipertuan Besar on June 9, was also present.

Khairul said that prior to signing the proclamation, the undangs had explained their decision to remove Tuanku Muhriz as ruler and that the menteri besar’s signature on the proclamation was needed.

“After hearing the grounds for Tuanku Muhriz’s removal, Ismail agreed to sign the proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz, in the presence of Abu Bakar.


“We would like to state that the menteri besar acted voluntarily and without coercion in the presence of Abu Bakar, who was always with the menteri besar at all times during the event,” said the lawyer.

***

Aisehman, UMNO derhaka lah, wakakaka

 

Senator defends Dzulkefly after calls to resign over chopper crash

Senator defends Dzulkefly after calls to resign over chopper crash

2 hours ago

FMT Reporters

Dr RA Lingeshwaran says the health minister's resignation is not the solution to a long-standing systemic issue.

Five people were on board the BO-105 helicopter that crashed near the Long Lellang short take-off and landing airport in Ulu Baram, about 930km from Kuching, on Tuesday. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A senator has come to the defence of Dzulkefly Ahmad following calls for the health minister’s resignation over his handling of the fatal helicopter crash in Sarawak that claimed the lives of four healthcare workers.

Dr RA Lingeshwaran.

Dr RA Lingeshwaran said Dzulkefly’s resignation was not the answer to a long-standing systemic issue.

He said that issues related to the public healthcare sector, including safety concerns over the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) and the allowance for health workers in the FDS, had been dealt with in stages.

He said there were also other initiatives in the pipeline.

“But we need to understand the reality of government bureaucracy.

Dzulkefly Ahmad.

“A minister cannot implement these initiatives immediately as they require approval from the finance ministry, public services department and related agencies.

“There are also government procedures (that must be taken into account),” Lingeshwaran, a former hospital director, said in a statement.

He was responding to a report by health portal CodeBlue on calls for Dzulkefly’s resignation.

Lingeshwaran also reiterated his call for a health service commission.

“Set it up while you are still a health minister,” he said.

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The BO-105 helicopter carrying the four healthcare workers crashed on Tuesday en route from Miri Airport to Long Lellang, resulting in their deaths as well as that of the pilot.

What is Jordan’s Al-Azraq base and why is Iran targeting it?

al Jazeera:

What is Jordan’s Al-Azraq base and why is Iran targeting it?


Tehran appears to be increasingly targeting Jordanian assets in the latest round of escalation with the US

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that they had launched missiles at a US base in Al-Azraq in Jordan, in response to US attacks on Iranian oil tankers [Atef Safadi/EPA]

By Yashraj Sharma
Published On 9 Sep 2026


As the United States and Iran trade strikes on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz this week, Iran has also launched several ballistic missiles towards Jordan’s Al-Azraq airbase, which hosts US military assets and personnel, in what it has called retaliatory attacks.

The Jordanian Armed Forces said 18 of 20 missiles had been intercepted and destroyed overnight on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning, while two fell in open areas. No casualties have been reported.

So, what is at the Al-Azraq airbase, and why has Iran targeted it?

The Al-Azraq airbase perimeter is visible on July 25, 2026, in Al-Azraq, Jordan [Salah Malkawi/Getty Images]

What did Iran target in Jordan?

Overnight, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched “devastating” missile strikes at US forces stationed at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, also known as Al-Azraq base, near Azraq in Jordan’s Zarqa governorate.

Missiles “struck the maintenance, preparation, and deployment sites of F-35, F-16, and F-15 fighter jets, as well as their shelters, inflicting heavy damage on the enemy”, the IRGC said in the statement reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The Jordanian Armed Forces said the kingdom had engaged 20 ballistic missiles, intercepting and destroying 18 of them, while two fell in open areas.

A Trump administration official in Washington, DC, said the barrage of ballistic missiles fired at US forces in Jordan did not inflict any casualties. “The Iranian response was ineffective against integrated air and missile defences,” the official told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity.



Why did Iran target US bases in Jordan? Sina Azodi explains


When and why has Iran targeted Jordan?

Iran is targeting Jordanian assets in the latest round of escalation, which began two weeks ago with US attacks on rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak island in the Strait of Hormuz. The US claimed Iran was preparing to use the launchers to scatter sea mines in the strait, and Iran responded with strikes on US assets in neighbouring Gulf countries. It has now widened this to include Jordan.

The US does not publicly reveal the capacities of its foreign military sites and assets, but Jordan is known to host nearly 4,000 US soldiers, according to a 2026 US Congressional Research Service report.

Some of them are stationed at the Al-Azraq base. Jordan also hosts US soldiers at the King Faisal Air Base in southern Jordan, and at so-called Tower 22, a remote US military logistics outpost in northeastern Jordan close to the borders with Syria and Iraq.

In the ongoing war, Tehran has claimed strikes on the Al-Azraq base more than 10 times between March and September. Iran first launched air strikes on Al-Azraq in early March.

On June 10, Iran again claimed to have struck the Al-Azraq airbase, as well as other bases hosting US military personnel and assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, after US forces struck Tehran’s assets in the Strait of Hormuz, a day after a US Apache helicopter had crashed near the waters.

On that occasion, the IRGC said its long-range missiles had destroyed several targets at the Al-Azraq airbase, including hangars and command centres. However, authorities in the countries targeted said all projectiles had been intercepted without casualties.

In the following weeks, Iran claimed to have hit the Al-Azraq base multiple times, inflicting heavy damage to US assets stationed there.

On July 17, Iran claimed it had hit US military aircraft stationed at the Al-Azraq base with ballistic missiles and drones, claiming to have destroyed several refuelling aircraft and fighter jets. US Central Command (CENTCOM) later confirmed that two US service members had been “killed in action” in the Iranian attack, while one was missing and four others were injured.

A combination of satellite images shows an increase in the number of aircraft at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, in Al-Azraq, Jordan, comparing January 16, 2026 with February 2, 2026 [Planet Labs Handout via Reuters]
How important is the Al-Azraq base to Jordan and the US?


The Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Azraq is located nearly 100km (62 miles) northeast of Amman, in the country’s sparsely populated Eastern Desert. Its official name is a tribute to a Jordanian fighter pilot, Lieutenant Muwaffaq Salti, who was killed in combat with Israel in 1966 in the Battle of Samu.

Amman and Washington signed a defence cooperation agreement in 2021 that granted US forces and contractors access to 12 military installations across the kingdom.

“Al-Azraq base is among the few that host F-35s, F-16s, and F-22s [fighter jets],” said Tahani Mustafa, a lecturer in international relations at the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. “It has hangars where the Americans can hide [their assets], and that’s what the Iranians have been targeting.”

The sprawling base, which has two runways, makes it an important asset for the US – and a target for Iran, Mustafa told Al Jazeera.

In the run-up to the US-Israel war on Iran, the base became “a key logistics hub” for US C-17 transport planes and about 60 combat aircraft, David Schenker, a fellow at the Washington Institute, a US think tank, told The Associated Press news agency.

“Jordan provides great strategic depth,” he said, calling the kingdom’s position “essential” to the US war on Iran, given the distance it provides against Iran’s missiles and drones as compared with the GCC countries, which are much closer.

A 2023 report by Washington’s Congressional Research Service underlined that “Jordanian air bases have been particularly important for the US conduct of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Syria and Iraq.”

That report also noted that the US “never officially acknowledged its presence at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base prior to the 2021 agreement”, even though “satellite imagery shows it has hosted US Air Force (USAF) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and fast jets since at least 2016”.

In July this year, The New York Times reported that Jordan became more important in the early days of the ongoing war, as a number of US troops stationed in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar were relocated there.

In 2017, the US Congress authorised $143m in air force construction funds to expand the base’s ramp space, reportedly the biggest such project at the time.

Umno shouldn’t be bound to other parties after GE16, says youth leader

FMT:

Umno shouldn’t be bound to other parties after GE16, says youth leader


7 hours ago
Elill Easwaran


Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros says the unity government formed after GE15 is 'merely a stopover, not the final destination'

Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros said the party should focus on uniting the Malays in the run-up to the 16th general election. (Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno should not be bound to any political party at the state or federal level after the next general election, a youth leader said today.

Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros said the party should acknowledge that grassroots Malays remained unhappy with the arrangement made after the 15th general election.

He was referring to the unity government, comprising Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan, which was formed following a hung Parliament.


“The unity government that we are part of is merely a stopover. It is not the final destination. Our ultimate goal is to return to being dominant and to dominate,” Azleen said when debating the wing’s policy speech here today.



He said the party should focus on uniting the Malays in the run-up to the 16th general election, claiming that the community and Malay-based parties were increasingly divided and confidence in the leadership was at a low.



“No political party has truly stepped forward to lead by example, nor is there any vision. No party is inspiring any hope among the Malays,” he said, adding that as a Malay-based party, Umno was responsible for helping the community close ranks and strengthen unity.

He said the recent election victories in Johor and Negeri Sembilan showed that the Malays could return to Umno if the party did the right things, remained humble and put the interests of the community above all else.

Azleen also said that Umno needed to remain moderate while defending the interests of the Malays, Bumiputeras and Islam.

He said the party must respect the rights of other communities to ensure that the support it builds is sustainable, not just temporary.

“We fight for the Malays, but not at the expense of the others,” he said.

He also called for a review of Umno’s Malay agenda, saying the party needed to offer concrete policies to improve the community’s economic resilience, education and leadership.