The High Court in Penang has struck out a defamation suit brought by Gerakan against Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng in July last year.

High Court judge Rosilah Yob struck out the suit without liberty for Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng (photo above) to file a fresh claim on the matter.

Rosilah also ordered Liang to pay costs to Lim, who is the former Penang chief minister and current Bagan MP.

"We will hear further submission on the amount of costs and decide on the matter on September 12," said the judge.

On July 25 last year, Liang sued Lim for claiming that Gerakan, under its former head Koh Tsu Koon, had sold reclaimed land in Tanjung Tokong, Penang, for RM1 per square foot.

Liang had filed the suit on behalf of the party at Penang High Court with his lawyer, Baljit Singh, who is also Gerakan national legal and human rights bureau chief.

The suit was filed based on articles published in Malaysiakini, DAP Malaysia’s website, The Edge Markets, Lim’s Facebook page and his own website between March 17, 2013 and May 18, 2017.  

Liang was represented by V Amareson while Simon Murali defended Lim.

"The defendant (Lim) has no objection for Gerakan to withdraw the suit but subject to two important conditions, firstly, Liang is given no liberty to file afresh any suit on same cause of action.

"Secondly, Gerakan must pay costs to my client," Murali informed the court.

Murali added that Lim was prepared and willing to defend himself in a full trial, and preparations had been made to that end.

"So it's unfair now for Gerakan to withdraw the suit without paying a single cent," he said.