KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton star Lee Zii Jia is set to battle his former coach, Indra Wijaya, at the Industrial Court.
A "legal match" between the two parties is inevitable after Zii Jia's manager, Lee Zii Yii, today said there has been no word from the Industrial Relations Department on a settlement.
Last week, the department, after a mediation meeting with Zii Jia's team and Indra, gave them one week to reach a settlement, failing which the alleged "unfair dismissal" complaint by Indra — his contract was said to be prematurely terminated by Zii Jia — will be referred to the Industrial Court.
With no signs from either party that a settlement has been reached in the last seven days, a legal battle will be the next stage.
"It is what it is. I have no comments on anything relating to coach (Indra).
"We respect the Industrial Relations Department, but so far, we have not heard anything from them," said Zii Yii today.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Badminton Association officially announced Indra as their new women's singles head coach.
Indra's lawyer, Muhammad Yazid Mohamad Salim, when contacted by Timesport, said: "Since no settlement was reached by either parties after seven days, the mediation will be deemed unsuccessful.
"As such, the JPP will refer the matter to the Industrial Court."
Earlier, Timesport reported that Indra was going to take legal action against Zii Jia after he was unceremoniously dropped from the latter's team in November.
According to Indra, he had signed a three-year contract with the world No 4, which runs until 2024.
It is learnt that if things do not go in Zii Jia's favour, the 25-year-old could be staring at a lawsuit that may require him to compensate Indra with 24 months of the Indonesian's salary in lieu.