GEORGE TOWN, 12 December 2025 — The Penang High Court today dismissed multiple applications filed by GTM Land & Property Sdn. Bhd. in its ongoing legal dispute with Global Tobacco Manufacturers (International) Sdn. Bhd., reaffirming the company’s liability for a judgment debt exceeding RM14.47 million.
Judicial Commissioner YA Dr. Suzana binti Muhamad Said, presiding over Case No. PA-28PW-159-11/2025, dismissed GTM Land & Property’s applications to amend their affidavits (Encl. 7 & Encl. 9), ordering the company to pay RM5,000 in costs. The Court also rejected GTM’s motion for a stay of the Winding-up Order (Encl. 1), imposing an additional RM5,000 in costs.
The rulings are tied to the earlier Winding-up Proceedings heard on 16 October 2025 (Case No. PA-28NCC-85-07/2024), in which the same Judicial Commissioner granted a Winding-up Order against GTM Land & Property. The Court had ruled that the judgment debt of RM14,471,137.44, inclusive of interest, constituted conclusive and undisputed debt.
The winding-up petition was initiated by Global Tobacco Manufacturers (International) Sdn. Bhd., following GTM Land & Property’s failure to satisfy the outstanding judgment debt. The respondent company is the registered proprietor of a parcel of land at No. 3406, Jalan Machang Bubok 2, Bukit Mertajam, held under Geran No. 155028, Lot 30056, Mukim 15, Seberang Perai Tengah — the site of the Vangohh Eminent Hotel.
The debt originated from a commercial development venture between the parties. Global Tobacco and GTM Land & Property entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 11 January 2011, followed by a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) on 26 November 2012. The agreements concerned the joint development of Global Tobacco’s land — comprising Geran No. Hakmilik 19153, 19154, Geran Mukim No. 14 & 15, and Lots 1112, 1113, 1205 and 1207 in Mukim 15 — into a mixed residential and commercial project known as Tropicale Residency.
Under the agreements, Global Tobacco was contractually entitled to RM25,454,660.00 and allocated units. However, Global Tobacco’s ledger showed that GTM made only partial payments, leaving RM14,471,137.44 outstanding.
On 4 December 2023, High Court Judge YA Dato’ Anand Ponnudurai granted summary judgment in favour of Global Tobacco for the outstanding sum with interest and costs. The Court of Appeal affirmed the decision on 6 September 2024, and the Federal Court dismissed GTM’s application for leave to appeal on 20 March 2025, rendering the judgment final.
Global Tobacco Manufacturers (International) Sdn. Bhd. was represented by Karin Lim Ai Ching, Nick Tan Wei Ceat, Katherine Low Kai Xin, and Kelvin Leong Chun Fai.
GTM Land & Property Sdn. Bhd. was represented by David Thomas Mathews and Prem Anand A/L Ramasamy.
