KUALA LUMPUR: When it rains, it pours for Lee Zii Jia.
Following his recent second round loss at the German Open in Mulheim — his sixth consecutive early exit — the world No 4 was dealt another blow when it's confirmed today that his former coach, Indra Wijaya, has rejected his offer to settle out of court an alleged unfair dismissal dispute.
It was reported last week that Team Lee Zii Jia (LZJ) had made an offer to Indra, following an unsuccessful mediation session at the Industrial Relations Department (JPP) last month. The JPP then gave Indra until March 13 to respond to the offer.
Indra's lawyer, Muhammad Yazid Mohamad Salim (Messrs Wan Ahmad Ridzuan & Co) told Timesport that his client had sent an email to the JPP on Friday, turning down the proposal.
"I can confirm that coach Indra has emailed the JPP on Friday, rejecting the offer made by Team LZJ.
"Under the Industrial Act, the case will now be referred to the Industrial Court of Malaysia," Yazid said.
Yazid declined to reveal the details of the offer made by Team LZJ due to the sensitivity of the matter.
For the record, Indonesian Indra joined Team LZJ in March last year before he was unceremoniously dropped from the independent shuttler's team in November.
According to Indra, he had signed a three-year contract with Zii Jia until 2024.
Indra, who has returned to Jakarta, was recently announced as the new Indonesian women's singles head coach.