DAP publicity chief Tony Pua has managed to raise more than the RM200,000 required to pay damages awarded to Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) through donations.

An online campaign had raised RM151,000 while a fundraising dinner in Petaling Jaya last night managed to raise a total of RM195,000.

NONE “Thank so much for all being here... Thank you all supporters of Pakatan Rakyat,” a jubilant Pua told 1,100 diners the Petaling Jaya City Council civic centre last night.

On June 6, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled in favour of Syabas, who claimed that Pua had defamed the company.

Despite case management for the appeal hearing being fixed on July 24, Syabas’ lawyers are demanding payment for the sum awarded.

Other speakers at the event include Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, DAP legal advisor Gobind Singh, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, Klang parliamentarian Charles Santiago and DAP secretary Teresa Kok.

In his speech, Santiago accused Umno of attempting to manufacture a crisis by claiming that there is an impending water crisis in Selangor.

Vindication

He said that dams in Selangor are mostly at peak capacity and the onus was thus on Syabas to ensure adequate supply of treated water.

“Water is now being used to hold Selangor and Pakatan hostage. This is not unacceptable. Water must not be privatised. It must be returned to the state,” he said.

NONE Meanwhile, Kok said the success of the donation campaign vindicates the Selangor state government and Pakatan’s position on the management of the state’s water.

“We asked you to give RM1 each. That is not a large amount. But some people gave RM10, some people gave RM50. What we’ve done is crowdsource.

“This is evidence that tens of thousands of Malaysians support us, support a Pakatan Rakyat government,”, she said.

It was later announced that the balance from the donation drive will be used for DAP’s election fund.

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