A local lawyer-cum-politician who was awarded RM5 million by the Kuching High Court last month as damages over a defamatory report will have to wait a little longer for the money, following an appeal by the defendants.

Baru Bian told malaysiakini today that the defendants — Sarawak English-language tabloid Malaysian Today , its editor and reporter — have filed an appeal against the decision.

Baru said he had received an appeal notice from the defendant's lawyers yesterday. No date has been fixed for the hearing.

On July 16, the Kuching High Court Senior Registrar awarded the damages to Baru — who is also an elected supreme council member of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) — over a report which appeared in the newspaper in April.

The registrar's decision was made after the defendants failed to file a defence, resulting in judgment in default.

Notice of winding-up

Baru claimed the daily had wrongfully reported that he failed to show up in court to represent fellow party leader and state assembly representative for Ngemah, Gabriel Adit, who sued the government over a contract on ferry operations in Sibu.

Gabriel Adit's case was later struck out.

"Why it was struck out is a long story. But I was present in court in Kuching at 9am that day for the case," said Baru Bian.

When the newspaper— linked to PBDS senior vice president Sng Chee Hua,a former member of parliament and former state assembly representative — failed to respond, Baru Bian through his own lawyer gave notice of winding-up on Aug 12.

PBDS rivalry

Gabriel Adit and Baru Bian belong to a group within the party that is aligned to PBDS president and federal Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Multimedia Leo Moggie.

The president has been under pressure from a rival group which appears to be led by his deputy Daniel Tajem — a former deputy chief minister and former Malaysian envoy to New Zealand — and PBDS publicity chief and state Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation Dr James Masing.

The problem in PBDS has been overshadowed by the bitter leadership crisis plaguing another Sarawak party — Snap — which erupted in April.

One PBDS leader described the calm within the party rank and file as "the lull before the storm".

Moggie has indicated that he will step down at the party's triennial delegates conference next year but his rivals want him to vacate the position sooner.