As investigations into possible misdeeds of Vivi Yusof and the e-commerce platform FashionValet she co-founded continue, Netizens are now dredging up the charges her sister Intan Yusof faced in 2020 for criminal breach of trust

Vivy Yusof with her sister Intan in 2015. Photo: vivyyusof/Instagram

Before one scandal has the chance to die down, another, waiting in the wings, could blow up. Long-term entrepreneur Vivi Yusof’s older sister Intan Yusof was charged in Malaysian court in 2020 for criminal breach of trust (CBT) when the latter was working as one of the directors of Arena Abadi Sdn Bhd, a company with dealings in agriculture and construction. According to the New Straits Times, Intan Yusof had transferred “RM200,000 (or about S$60,000) entrusted to her from the company’s account into her personal account”. She allegedly “used the money for her personal expenses”. Intan Yusof had pleaded not guilty to the charges. In a court hearing in August that year, her case was scheduled for trial three months later, but we are unable to uncover any update on the final outcome. The case seemed to have gone quiet.

Intan Yusok’s charges also underscored issues of trust and financial management within Arena Abadi, and attracted considerable media attention back then due to the accused’s familial connection with Vivy Yusof. As the owner of the tudung (head scarf) brand Duck Group has been telling the media, she has a sister who is significantly older—seven years. Intan Yusof went to boarding school (exactly where has not been said) at an unspecified age, leaving the very young, self-proclaimed born-to-be-entrepreneur very much alone. That led to her playing by herself throughout much of her younger, formative days. Vivy Yusof has attributed her writing and entrepreneurial flair to those years without sibling attention, or rivalry.

Intan Yusof appeared on her sister’s TV show Love, Vivy. Screen shot: hajardiyana/YouTube

Despite the significant age gap, it appears that the siblings share a close bond. It is, however, not established when their relationship really fomented, considering there was no childhood playtime that could be the foundation to their hardy ties. In 2023, three years after her sister’s case was supposed to go to trial, Vivy Yusof told the Malay chat show Wardah Heart to Heart: “Kalau nak manja (if I wanted to whine or be spoiled), I go to my sister”, suggesting sibling affection that allowed the younger to turn to the older when some attention or the need to be coddled arises. Through social media, it could be seen that Intan Yusof is supportive of her younger sibling’s businesses, but she has remained mum on the current skandal afflicting FashionValet.

Not much information is available on Intan Yusof’s professional history. While Vivy Yusof is more publicly known and recognisable due to her fashion ventures, Intan Yusof tends to stay out of the spotlight. She did, however, appear on Love, Vivy—the reality TV show that put the subject and her family in the spotlight. The sisters’ seemingly affable interactions (such as having afternoon teas regularly at the celebrated entrepreneur’s residence) suggested that they have a warm and supportive relationship. Like her younger sister, Intan Yusof is a mother of four, according to The Star. Her lawyer revealed to the court four years ago that her husband is in the “tourism industry”. As curious as it seems, both sisters are now the subjects of investigations into the handling of funds. As her case may not have gone to trial, it is likely Intan Yusof will not say much of her sibling either, if anything at all.