The suit brought by National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) Sdn Bhd against Public Bank for allegedly leaking its confidential banking accounts in 2012, will resume its hearing as the parties failed to reach a settlement in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today.

As a result of this, High Court judge John Louis O' Hara said the trial would proceed, with NFC chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail testifying on Oct 21.

This was disclosed by lawyer Syed Ismat Syed Muhammad who is appearing for NFC and Salleh. Lawyer Yoong Sin Min is representing the bank.

NFC, along with Salleh and its three subsidiaries – National Meat and Livestock Corporation Sdn Bhd, Agroscince Industries Sdn Bhd and Real Food Company Sdn Bhd – had filed a RM560 million suit against Public Bank for breach of contract in protecting the confidentiality of their bank accounts.

The plaintiffs are seeking RM60 million in general damages and RM250 million each in exemplary and punitive damages.

It was reported in late June this year that NFC had obtained 20 pages of document of a domestic inquiry conducted against a Public Bank employee.

This comes after Justice O' Hara allowed an application by NFC and Mohamad Salleh to use those documents in the hearing of the lawsuit.