MCA president Ong Tee Keat today filed a RM500 million defamation suit against BN Backbenchers Club chairperson Tiong King Sing over the latter's claim of giving RM10 million to the minister.

NONE Ong, also the transport minister, only named Tiong as the defendant. The suit was filed by his team of nine lawyers at the Kuala Lumpur High Court registry at 11.15am today.

Ong is suing Tiong, who is also the Bintulu member of parliament, in his personal capacity.

Ong's lawyer Ronnie Tan said that his client will donate the RM500 million to charity and education if he wins the case.

Ong and Tiong had been involved in a running battle over claims made by the Bintulu politician that he had given the money to the MCA president for party purposes.

Ong had denied the claims and had lodged a police report. Tiong meanwhile had said that he had a friend was witnessed the exchange of cash.

Injunction to be obtained soon

In his suit, Ong is also asking Tiong to retract the statement and make an apology through all major newspapers in the country. He also applied for an injunction to stop Tiong from repeating his claims.

"We hope to get the injunction as soon as possible," said lawyer Tan ( photo: with file ).

NONE Ong's court documents also quoted Malaysiakini's exclusive report on Aug 12 in which Tiong was reported to have made the RM10 million claims.

Ong further added that Tiong's statement had tarnished his reputation, image and integrity, and had caused him to be hated and despised by the public.

He also said that Tiong's allegation was unfounded and made in bad faith to stop the investigation into the Port Klang Free Trade Zone issue, in which Tiong's company Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd is implicated.

Ong further claimed that his legal letter to Tiong on Aug 13 seeking a retraction, apology and compensation was unheeded with the Bintulu businessman continuing to make similar allegations to the newspapers.