Pandungan state assemblyperson Dominique Ng today paid the sum awarded by the High Court to Sarawak DAP vice-chairperson Chong Siew Chian.

The sum of RM112,648.40 in cash was hand delivered by Ng, accompanied by several supporters, at Chong's legal firm in Kuching today.

Judicial Commissioner Ravinthran Paramaguru had on Jan 26 found in favour of Chong, who initiated a defamation suit against Ng in 2008.

NONE Ng was ordered to pay RM100,000. Chong had threatened to file a bankruptcy petition against Ng if did not to pay the sum within a week.

Following this, Ng's supporters had appealed to the public for funds to help him come up with the amount.

Ng ( right ) was said to have uttered defamatory words against Chong during a campaign in support of the PKR candidate for Stampin, See Chee How, on Feb 22, 2008.

The court also ordered United Borneo Press Sdn Bhd, the publisher of Chinese language newspaper United Daily News, to pay RM50,000.

The paper carried part of Ng's speech said to be defamatory.

Ng said in a statement today that he was very indebted to the supporters who provided him with the money.

"They came from all levels of society - the elderly, hawkers, farmers, longhouse residents, labourers, fishermen, shop owners, businessmen and reporters," said Ng.

NONE Some of these supporters were from outside the Kuching area, where Ng has been active since the 1980s, such as Sarikei.

He said that since his "capital" came from the people, he would work even harder to serve the them and speak on their behalf in and outside the state legislative assembly.

Chong, a veteran lawyer, filed the defamation suit over Ng's speech during the 2008 general election while campaigning for PKR candidate See Chee Hwa who was contesting the Stampin parliamentary seat.

Ng has filed an appeal against the court decision