The bankruptcy of high-profile fashion designer Jovian Mandagie, the former son-in-law of Malaysia’s ex-prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, has brought renewed attention to the growing scandals surrounding the former leader’s family.
Jovian, once a household name in Malaysian and Indonesian fashion circles, was declared bankrupt by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Thursday for failing to repay a US$1.25 million loan to an engineering firm.
The court ruling comes amid ongoing investigations by anti-corruption authorities into Ismail Sabri over alleged embezzlement of public funds during his time in office.
Now 39, Jovian gained local prominence in part through his marriage to Ismail Sabri’s daughter, Nina. The couple divorced in August 2023, less than a year after Ismail Sabri stepped down from office following a brief 15-month tenure.
The loan dispute stems from a verbal agreement with Cekap Air Sdn Bhd, which described the money as a “friendly loan” given informally due to personal ties. The company told the court that it initially had no reason to question Jovian’s credibility, considering he owned several businesses.
But his financial woes had already surfaced in other arenas. Another firm had previously sued him for failing to pay around 5 million ringgit (US$1.18 million) for branded face masks produced during the Covid-19 pandemic, as he had attempted to shift his apparel label toward the production of personal protective equipment.
