JLJ Holdings, a firm named in a lawsuit involving Apple and a former employee, said on today its executive chairman will voluntarily step down for the time being.

JLJ owns Jin Li Mould, an Apple supplier which allegedly received confidential information about the US firm from ex-Apple employee Paul Devine. A former Jin Li executive named Andrew Ang was also named in the suit by Apple.

“Andrew Ang is the brother-in-law of the company’s executive chairman. In order to facilitate the impartial review of all activities relating to the Apple claim that may involve the company and its subsidiaries, the company’s executive chairman has also voluntarily relinquished all executive duties,” the firm said in a statement.

The company had said earlier that Ang had left JLJ in 2009. JLJ did not name its executive chairman in its statement, but its website named Chua Kim Guan as holding that office. JLJ said its executive chairman has also voluntarily provided a statement and information to Singapore’s anti-graft agency the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.

Apple, the maker of iPhones and MacBook computers, has accused Devine of receiving bribes from six Asian suppliers in exchange for confidential information about the US company's product roadmap and sales forecast. JLJ, whose shares have fallen 18% since news of the suit, requested a trading suspension earlier on Thursday.

It said an independent legal adviser is conducing a “thorough and objective review of the situation.” Other Asian companies are also investigating the case.