Tealive outlets to remain open

KUALA LUMPUR: Tealive outlets will be able to remain open as the Federal Court has granted its holding company’s application to stay a Court of Appeal order.

Tealive operator Loob Holdings Sdn Bhd filed an appeal after they lost in their application to stay an injunction order granted by the Court of Appeal to Chatime Taiwanese owner La Kaffa International Co Ltd two weeks ago.

“We are of the view that there are merits to allow the special circumstances in the interim application,” Datuk Seri Balia Yusof Wahi said in delivering the ruling.

Other judges on the panel were Tan Sri Ramly Ali and Datuk Mohd Zawawi Salleh.

Lawyer Datuk Loh Siew Cheang, representing Loob Holdings, said it will be business as usual now that Tealive can continue its business and the livelihood of its employees will not be affected.

An Appeals Court three-man panel had ruled on Thursday there were no special circumstances to stop the injunction order as Loob Holdings had not filed to seek leave to the Federal Court.

The Court of Appeal had granted La Kaffa an injunction to stop Loob Holdings, which is its former franchise holder, from carrying out a similar business as Chatime.

In a statement, La Kaffa Malaysia said it respects the Federal Court’s judgement and have instructed its lawyers to continue taking necessary legal action on the matter.

“We are committed to protecting the reputation and value of our brand. We believe that the injunction order made by the Court of Appeal prohibiting Loob Holdings from operating Tealive in a way similar to Chatime is positively reflecting the judicial system of Malaysia. This judgement will definitely encourage more international franchisors to invest in Malaysia.

“We firmly trust the laws of Malaysia and that our legal dispute will be resolved pursuant to the principles of fairness and justice.” – by Vathani Panirchellvum