KUALA LUMPUR: Amber Chia is the sole authorised licensee for the 2009 Ford Models Supermodel Of The World Malaysia Search.

The model-cum-actress claimed yesterday that Ford Models of the United States recently made her the franchise holder for the Malaysian chapter of its international model search.

Speaking at her lawyer Rajan Navaratnam's office in Sri Hartamas here, Chia said Ford's vice-president Doreen Small, in a letter, stated that Ford recognised only the winner of her show as Malaysia's representative to the Ford Supermodel Of The World finals in Brazil next year.

"Ford has recognised me as the only licensed party to produce and distribute a television show in connection with the search."

Last Monday, Chia's one-time business partner Yap Wen-Ji announced that she was suing Chia for defamation.

Yap, who created and produced the series Malaysia's Supermodel Search, filed a suit for defamation against Chia at the High Court here.

Represented by her lawyer Kenneth Tan, Yap is suing Chia in relation to statements she made in the Sin Chew Daily newspaper on Oct 6.

She also named Sin Chew Corporation and the newspaper's editor-in-chief Pook Ah Lek as defendants.

Yap is seeking general damages of RM10 million($4.12 million), aggravated damages of RM5 million, interest, an injunction restraining Chia, Sin Chew Corporation and Pook from further publishing defamatory statements, and an order that Chia retract her statements and apologise within five days.

Yap claimed the newspaper published an article on Oct 6 which stated that Chia was allegedly cheated by her business partner.