Defamation case: Guan Eng's son rubbishes claim of S'pore arrest

Lim Guan Eng's son has rubbished the allegation that he was arrested while trying to enter Singapore with undeclared RM2 million cash four years ago.

Clint Lim told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that he was not at the Changi Airport on Feb 29, 2020, as alleged and instead was at his home in the island republic.

"Although I was in Singapore on Feb 29, 2020, I was nowhere near Changi Airport. At that time, I was working in a company as a property analyst.

"If I may recall, Feb 29, 2020, fell on a Saturday. It was an off day. I was probably at home or going out with friends.

"I was not in Changi Airport or anywhere near its vicinity," Clint said in the witness statement today.

He added that he was at home in Singapore due to the then Covid-19 pandemic.

He and his father are suing political blogger Muhammad Wan Azri Wan Deris known as Papagomo for defamation.

Clint claimed he was defamed over the allegation that Singaporean authorities had detained him for the undeclared money.

Guan Eng alleged he was defamed over the claim that he then flew to Singapore to save his son.

Guan Eng is seeking RM3 million in damages from Azri.

The civil action centres over a Facebook post dated March 14, 2020.

During the full trial before judicial commissioner Eddie Yeo yesterday, Guan Eng pointed out that then inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador rubbished the allegation of the arrest.

Clint flew in 9 days earlier

While being cross-examined by Azri's counsel Logen Eskander Abdullah today, Clint explained that he flew into Singapore on Feb 20, 2020, and not nine days later.

While being grilled by Logen, Clint conceded that he would not be calling the friends he was allegedly with four years ago to vouch for his whereabouts as one of them is working in Singapore now.

Clint also agreed that while he was suing Azri at the civil court, he believed that the blogger had never been charged in the criminal court over the alleged defamation.

Azri raised the defence of justification and fair comment as an alternative defence to his main contention that the online post originated from an account not under his control.

Counsel Simon Murali is representing Guan Eng, while lawyer Logen Eskander Abdullah is acting for Azri.

The trial resumes tomorrow.

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