Amber Chia is determined to continue organising the Ford Supermodel of the World contest despite facing a defamation suit filed by her former business partner Yap Wen-Ji on Monday.

The Malaysian model also quashed the defamation claim by Yap, calling it “superficial.”

“I believe the suit was filed and made public in order to undermine my genuine and heartfelt efforts to help our contestants and to proceed with the show involving Ford Models,” she said when reading out her statement during a press conference at her lawyer Rajan Navarat-nam’s office in Sri Hartamas here yesterday.

Yap is suing her for a total of RM15mil for alleged defamatory statements that Amber made in the Sin Chew Daily newspaper dated Oct 6.

During the press conference, Amber showed proof that she was the sole authorised licensee for the supermodel search when she produced a statement from Ford Models, Inc. which clarified that no party, except Amber, had the permission to conduct the contest.

She also showed members of the media a licensing agreement between Ford Models and her company Amber Creations Sdn Bhd which allowed her the rights to offer the competition in Malaysia.

“I continue to challenge Yap to produce evidence that she had authorisation from Ford Models and will continue to give her the opportunity to prove it to me and to rectify payment matters,” Amber said.

The contest which starts shooting on Nov 3 will be shown online while plans are ongoing to have the finals on Dec 5 aired live on television.

Amber, who will be the contest’s judge, said she was expecting 100 to 200 aspiring models to take part.

A total of 10 female and 10 male models would be shortlisted for the finals.

Asked on the fate of the 22 models of the Malaysia’s Supermodel Search Presents Ford Supermodel of the World reality show where Yap was the co-executive producer, Amber said regretfully: “They will have to start from zero again.”

The winner of the competition will represent Malaysia in the Ford Models Supermodel of the World finale in Brazil.

Those interested to participate in the contest can register via the Ford Models website, www.fordmodels.com/smowapply.