Businessman Hoo Kok Wing, who is being sued by Health Minister Chua Jui Meng for defamation, believed there was no need to apologise for his alleged malicious statement against the minister.

However, he testified today that the report in Shin Min Daily News of Aug 3, 1994 that Chua received RM200,000 was not accurate.

It was reported in Shin Min Daily on Aug 3, 1994 that Chua received RM100,000 on two occasions - Jan 18, 1993 and Dec 15, 1993.

Hoo claimed that the alleged bribery to facilitate the business of a Malaysian company, Perindustrian Dimensi, took place sometime during the period from July till December 1993, and may not be on the dates reported by Shin Min Daily.

On cross-examination by Chua's counsel, Darryl Goon, at the Civil Court in Kuala Lumpur, Hoo said that he had no personal intention to publicise the matter as it only hurt each other's feelings.

"I only called the press conference as it is my duty. After that, I've no further intention to exaggerate the matter," Hoo told the court this morning, representing himself.

Chua, is suing Hoo and lawyer Chin Tee Fut for falsely and maliciously speaking defamatory words about him to journalists at a press conference they had called for on or around Aug 2,1994.

Chua, who was at that time the deputy minister of international trade and industry, is seeking an injunction restraining the defendants or their agents from "further speaking or publishing similar words; general, compensatory, aggravated and exemplary damages; interest, costs and any further relief".

Hoo also said in court today that a businessman, Yang Meng Jie, had told him the reason why he (Yang) paid the money. Hoo stressed that he will not reveal the evidence pending the Anti-Corrruption Agency's completion of the alleged corruption case.

Last Thursday, Chua in his statement said that Yang, as deputy chairman of Perindustrian Dimensi, had issued a statement refuting the accusations made against him by the defendant on Aug 4, 1994.

Chua's counsel Goon also questioned Hoo's ruthless attack on the plaintiff's reputation, saying that it was merely to discredit Yang and hoping to stop Yang from pursuing an alleged extortion charge against Hoo at the expense of the plaintiff.

However, Hoo said that the previous charge has been dropped and there was no case to be answered now, but Goon insisted that there was still a charge pending.

Hoo added that as a responsible Malaysian citizen, his intention was to bring the matter to ACA and the press so that Chua was brought to justice on the corruption case.

The case is heard by High Court judge Dr. R. K. Kamalanathan. Hearing was adjourned to Wednesday.